The crisis at the FIGC could see Serie A break away in a similar style to the Premier League or use that threat to gain more power.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, prompting the dismissal of Azzurri Coach Giampiero Ventura and resignation of Federation President Carlo Tavecchio.
The CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) has warned it will put the FIGC under a special Commissioner unless they can find a new President capable of enacting sweeping reforms.
The crisis at the FIGC could see Serie A break away in a similar style to the Premier League or use that threat to gain more power.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, prompting the dismissal of Azzurri Coach Giampiero Ventura and resignation of Federation President Carlo Tavecchio.
The CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) has warned it will put the FIGC under a special Commissioner unless they can find a new President capable of enacting sweeping reforms.
According to the latest reports, the Lega Serie A – union of top flight clubs – are determined to take more control over their own fate.
They can do this by threatening to break away from the FIGC and set up their own separate entity, similar to what the Premier League did in England in 1992.
This would be an extremely complicated affair, so could well be used as a bargaining tool to gain more power within the decision-making process.
As things stand, report Calcio e Finanza, the Lega Serie A represents only 17% of the vote when it comes to electing a FIGC President, compared to 34% for the amateur leagues and 17% for the Lega Pro/Serie C.
Negotiations continue between Serie A clubs to find a way out of the current crisis and there are again two clear parties emerging: those with and against Lazio President Claudio Lotito.
Lotito was the main backer of former FIGC President Tavecchio and many complained this gave him excessive power within the Federation.
This time around, Lotito is pushing for ex-financial police chief Ugo Marchetti.
Instead, La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest the other clubs are in favour of Procter and Gamble South Europe President Sami Kahale.
Another alternative explained in La Repubblica is for the Serie A clubs to snub the election and miss the November 30 deadline, prompting the introduction of a Commissioner appointed by the CONI.
A Commissioner is an idea also supported by Minister for Sport Luca Lotti.