After experimenting with a Christmas fixture list this season, Serie B is now looking into the possibility of introducing a salary cap for the clubs participating in Italy’s second division.
The 22 clubs convened to discuss the proposal that would potentially make the second division more competitive and economically viable, with March 5 being set as the date a cap number would be announced.
According to Il Sole 24 Ore, the salary cap will be added onto the existing setting which allows a maximum 60% of revenues to be used for expenditures, thus easing the economic burdens on financially struggling clubs.
Other points to be discussed include keeping the same number of teams in the league at 22, making the experimental Christmas schedule permanent, and the construction of new, smaller stadiums.
League president Andrea Abodi hopes to run league fixtures through the Christmas season, much like in England, and employ a winter break from Epiphany to the close of the winter transfer window.
Regarding the stadium situation, many clubs in Serie B play in stadiums that are too small as per league rules and are forced to play in larger venues well outside their home city.
“[The stadiums] will be small, between 10-18,000 seats and affordable,” Abodi said. “Today you can only build with private funds, the public only asks for an accompanying administration that does not impede the process.”
One of the proposals that will probably not see the light of day is Abodi’s wish to introduce penalty shootouts to avoids draws.
