A new European lower league competition between teams from the English Championship, Germany’s 2. Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie B is reportedly being planned.
Italian and English teams competed in the various forms of the Anglo-Italian cup, between 1992 and 1996 that was held between sides from Serie B and Division One with Genoa the last team to win the competition before its demise.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Serie B president Andrea Abodi announced at his league’s general assembly his intention to create a new international lower league competition with the co-operation of the English and German leagues with the aim of increasing international exposure.
The competition will reportedly be held in the summer between the winners of Serie B, the Championship and 2. Bundesliga with the possibility of expansion into other countries if the competition is successful.
Abodi also intends to introduce penalty shootouts for Serie B playoff and playout games and eradicate the current rule where the team who finished higher in the league is the winner in the case of stalemate.
Modena were the most successful team in the Anglo-Italian cup with two titles.
The defunct competition at various times featured a diverse range of teams including the likes of Sutton United, Roma, Poole Town, Pontedera and Napoli as the tournament switched between a professional and semi-professional format.
