In a bid to bring the best out of homegrown talent in Serie A, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has called for a limit on the number of foreign players in the division.
It comes in the wake of the Azzurri’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and this week, new coach Roberto Mancini has highlighted the issues he faces due to the perceived fewer opportunities for Italian players.
“Let our players play in Serie A,” he asked of the top flight’s coaches on Monday. “We have good players but some are sat on the bench while others play ahead of them who are less gifted.”
Salvini, who also acts as Minister of the Interior, took advantage of the former Manchester City coach bringing up the problem to address it and told Leggo what he believes should be done to help Italian talent prosper.
“I’m happy that other important members of the football world have given me a reason to discuss this,” Salvini said.
“There should be a limit on the number of foreign players on the field to give chances and confidence to many young Italians who are otherwise being sacrificed and suffering as a result.”
Serie A did previously have a rule in place which limited foreign players for each Serie A club to three per club.
