FIGC President Giancarlo Abete has suggested there are plans for Serie A to be returned to 18 teams.
Speaking to RaiSport, he said: “I can say we all hope to return Serie A to 18 teams as soon as possible.”
The league had 18 teams between 1988 and 2004, but was increased to 20 to come in line with La Liga and the Premier League.
But with Serie A in financial decline, calls have been made to reduced the number of teams to save money and maintain competitiveness.
His own league aside, Abete claims to have held talks with UEFA over making changes to the Europa League. He said:
“We are also studying a plan with UEFA to reward the Europa League semi-finalists by giving them qualification for the next season’s Champions League.”
The competition has been criticised for a lack of prize money and incentive to win compared to the Champions League, with many participants fielding under-strength teams.
The President has also condemned the treatment of Tottenham Hotspur fans in Rome this week and issued a full apology.
Several Spurs fans, who were in the city to see there sides Europa League tie against Lazio, were attacked in a bar by masked hooligans, on Thursday morning. Eleven people were injured. There was also claims of anti-Semitic chanting from Lazio fans at the game.
In light of the incidents in Rome, Abete feels that the animosity generated in the build up to big games should be calmed down. He said:
“The controversy may well have a positive effect in firing up their own fanbase, but at the same time it feeds the negative rapport with all the others. It creates a damaging image of Italian football, so it would be opportune to show more common sense and responsibility.”
Follow Luca Persico on Twitter: @LPCalcio
