Lega Serie A chief Gaetano Micciche has rejected FIFA’s claims that Gabon have better stadia than Italy and ruled out talk of Scudetto playoffs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned Italy last week that they were behind Gabon in terms of infrastructure, but Micciche has hit back.
“I don’t know about stadiums in Gabon, but I don’t think we’re behind them,” he told Gr Parlamento.
Lega Serie A chief Gaetano Micciche has rejected FIFA’s claims that Gabon have better stadia than Italy and ruled out talk of Scudetto playoffs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned Italy last week that they were behind Gabon in terms of infrastructure, but Micciche has hit back.
“I don’t know about stadiums in Gabon, but I don’t think we’re behind them,” he told Gr Parlamento.
“The theme of infrastructure is one of the most crucial things we’re working on. Some clubs are already at work.
“Atalanta, for example, are one of them, but there’s also Bologna, Fiorentina, Roma, Lazio, Inter and Milan. Having said that, it’s not enough.
“The interest generated by the European Under-21 Championship that will be played in June in Italy at different stadia, plus the potential to host a European Championship, may convince some clubs to make new infrastructural investment, with the help of Lega and the government.
“It’s one of my objectives for this year, to meet Presidents and mayors who can intervene to finance new infrastructure and verify their feasibility in the short term.”
The idea of Scudetto playoffs to determine the winner has been touted to increase competitiveness in Serie A…
“Everything related to the format of each League has been placed in the hands of every single League,” replied Micciche.
“This is an issue we haven’t addressed at Serie A meetings yet. At the appropriate moment we’ll talk about it, but if I have to give my opinion then the issue of playoffs for the Scudetto seems rather unfeasible to me.
“The issue for Serie A is if keeping 20 teams or reducing the number to 18, like some clubs wish, and that’ll generate a broad discussion.
“However we’ve never talked about Scudetto, nor do I find it beneficial.”