All 20 Serie A clubs voted against the introduction of a new reform that would allow the Government to track their financial health status via a newly-formed agency.
There is already an entity that does this, the COVISOC, which can best be described as a sort of consumer protection association.
It is an autonomous body, but the members are appointed by the FIGC and CONI sporting entities.
The proposal from Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi would set up a new Government-run commission to invigilate the finances of clubs.
Every summer, clubs must pass a series of financial stress tests before they are allowed to register for the new season, as this avoids the risk of anyone going bankrupt during the course of the campaign.
This new Government-run entity would not just cover football clubs, but other sports including basketball and volleyball.
Serie A votes against reform
Football in particular is very much against this idea and the Lega Serie A released a statement following an emergency meeting.
“Although maintaining the commitment to improve the economic sustainability and transparency of checks in Italian football, the clubs voted unanimously against the proposal to set up a Government agency to invigilate the financial status of professional football clubs, reiterating the importance of autonomy of sport from politics.
“All the clubs also reiterated the necessity to work towards full autonomy of the Lega Serie A within the sporting organisation.”
Serie A are pushing to set up a Premier League-style breakaway division that is separate from the FIGC, hoping it will enable the clubs to vastly increase revenue.