Damiano Tommasi and Gabriele Gravina have slammed the FIGC for allowing the Serie B fixtures to be drawn with 19 teams.
The division is supposed to have 22 teams, but Avellino, Bari and Cesena were unable to register for the new season.
Rather than allow relegated clubs or those from Serie C to apply to join Serie B, it was instead decided that the second division would proceed with 19 teams, with one team getting a rest day each week.
Damiano Tommasi and Gabriele Gravina have slammed the FIGC for allowing the Serie B fixtures to be drawn with 19 teams.
The division is supposed to have 22 teams, but Avellino, Bari and Cesena were unable to register for the new season.
Rather than allow relegated clubs or those from Serie C to apply to join Serie B, it was instead decided that the second division would proceed with 19 teams, with one team getting a rest day each week.
The fixtures were drawn today, just 11 days before the new season, but the controversy hasn't ended there.
“I reiterate that we at the AIC are strongly opposed to a Serie B with 19 teams,” players’ union President Tommasi told ANSA.
“It also seems serious to me the way they announced it in a statement. It’s true that, as they wrote, they consulted us, but it’s equally certain that I was totally opposed to their choice.
“So in my opinion to use this formula is just a further mockery.”
The President of the Lega Pro, Gabriele Gravina, also criticised the decision.
“The decision to block teams from applying for Serie B is an unforgivable act of failure in the governance of Italian football.
“I hope the supervisory bodies take action on this abuse.”