Italian football at risk from UEFA and FIFA
Italian football is truly at risk of being excluded from FIFA and UEFA tournaments after the Government ignored their letter and approved the controversial Mulé amendment, albeit with significant changes, Football Italia reports.
The warning had come from the highest levels of international football that the amendment would be considered a breach of the rules on government interference in the administration of the sport.
It was believed that the amendment would be adjusted or even scrapped entirely, but news agency ANSA report it was passed with some changes.
The details are still emerging, but the picture seems to be considerably less drastic than it was originally.
It was meant to effectively pave the way for the Lega Serie A to be independent of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), similar to the move that allowed the formation of the Premier League breaking away from the English Football Association.
However, a lot of the language has been watered down and crucially the detail allowing clubs to bypass the sporting justice system and appeal directly to the TAR tribunal has been removed entirely.
The updated version will be sent to FIFA and UEFA for further evaluation.
“To guarantee an adequate representation in the federal systems, the professional leagues have the right to equal representation in the directive organisations of the sporting federations that take into account the economic contribution given to the system,” said Forza Italia politician Giorgio Mulé, who drafted the ruling.
“A new era begins for Italian football today with the fair recognition of the weight and role that the Lega Serie A has within the Federation.
“A new page finally brings us up to date with the modern times.”
The Lega Serie A had complained it did not have enough representatives on the FIGC board, considering it brings in most of the revenue in the Italian football system.
As confirmed by La Repubblica and Sky Sport Italia, the letter from UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin to Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi warned that “if the text remains the same, we would have to exclude Italian teams from European cup competition.”
It could also prompt them to revoke Italy’s hosting rights – alongside Turkey – for EURO 2032.
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