epa05923523 Former Milan CEO Adriano Galliani greets fans during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Empoli FC at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 23 April 2017. EPA/MATTEO BAZZI
Former Milan CEO Adriano Galliani greets fans during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Empoli FC at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 23 April 2017. EPA/MATTEO BAZZI

Monza CEO Adriano Galliani has explained how he would have attempted to reduce the number of participants in Serie A from 20 to 18 had he still been in charge of his former club Milan. 

Reducing the number of participating teams in Serie A has been a hot topic of conversation over the 2023-24 season. Clubs at the top end of the division have been rallying for a reduction, while those in mid-table and closer to the bottom have largely argued against it. 

The teams in favour of reducing the number of Serie A participants include Inter, Juventus, Milan and Roma, all of whom Galliani called out during a recent speech of his at the Senate of the Republic. 

“There have always been internal conflicts within the system, but now they have become more apparent because four ‘big names’, Milan, Inter, Juventus and Roma, thought that the format of Serie A could be changed from 20 to 18. 

“And, at the majority of clubs, the belief was born that the (FIGC) President (Gabriele Gravina) agreed. I can’t ask too many questions, I am the legal representative of a Serie A team and therefore I struggle to remain impartial,” Galliani told the Culture and Education Committee at the Italian senate on Tuesday. 

Galliani, who was unable to disclose too many of his personal opinions on the matter due to his position with Monza, then explained how he would have attempted to change the Serie A format had he still been in charge of Milan. 

“I would have attempted a less heavy-handed manoeuvre. I would have gone about it in a different way. You can go from 20 to 18 teams, but it would require a cut of the revenues for those who are relegated. 

“At this point in time, there is an incredible gap opening up between the top teams, who have a turnover of 500 million, and the ones down the bottom have a turnover of around 50 million.” 

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