FIGC President Gabriele Gravina warns ‘three professional divisions are no longer sustainable’ for Italian football, so Serie B and C could be combined, while he considers making vaccines obligatory for players.
Gravina has long been in favour of radical reforms to cut the number of clubs in the top flight, which would reduce the number of games and allow the finite resources to be spread more easily.
“I don’t like to talk about numbers,” replied Gravina in a press conference when asked about reducing Serie A to 18 teams.
“I don’t just predict a change of formal, we are talking about a complete revolution that impacts the sustainability and stability of the system.
“As things stand, three professional divisions are no longer sustainable. I proposed a fusion between Serie B and C from 2024-25 in order to make the whole system more sustainable.”
Gravina also discussed the Government decree allowing stadiums to open up to a maximum 50 per cent capacity with social distancing between seats.
Only fans with a Green Pass – electronic certificate proving COVID vaccination or negativity – will be allowed in.
This also links in with the growing concern of anti-vaxxers within Serie A squads who refuse the COVID vaccine.
“The Green Pass should take everyone into consideration, not just the fans, but also the players,” continued the Federation chief.
“Our proposal is in line with the Italian Government approach, so the Federation will evaluate how to make the vaccination campaign easier and if we should make vaccination obligatory. I think it’s right to evaluate whether those who are not vaccinated should be allowed to perform certain activities.
“We maintain the proposal of a 50 per cent capacity in stadiums to be insufficient and we have asked the Government to evaluate the possibility of a chequerboard effect to maintain social distancing rather than have one of every two seats empty.”