Italian Media: Serie A and Serie B Plan to Break Away from Italian Football Federation; Italy Risks Losing Bid for Euro Championship

According to La Repubblica, the Italian newspaper, Serie A and Serie B are planning to break away from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). This move could result in a ban on Italian clubs participating in international competitions and potentially strip Italy of its bid to host the Euro Championship.

The FIGC and Serie A are seeking reforms that would overturn the existing organizational structure of the FIGC. Their goal is to grant full autonomy to all levels of Italian football leagues in terms of law, regulation, organization, and management, mirroring the current model between the Premier League and The Football Association in England.

However, FIFA and UEFA have issued stern warnings about the potential consequences of approving this amendment, arguing that it undermines the independence of the FIGC. FIFA and UEFA’s stance is clear: merely revising or rewriting the amendment will not suffice. In their letter to Gabriele Gravina, President of the FIGC and the sole interlocutor of sports institutions, they state, “Dear President, we are compelled to intervene to uphold the principles and values of the sporting system we support. The amendment is in stark contradiction with these principles, as it blatantly disregards the central role of the federation in ensuring the balance and healthy development of sport. We expect politics to respect the autonomy of football.”

If Italy ignores these warnings, it may face joint sanctions from FIFA and UEFA, which could lead to Italian clubs being barred from European competitions and the loss of their bid to host the 2032 Euro Championship.