(Reuters) – Serie A clubs have voted to maintain the number of clubs in the Italian top division at 20, as announced by the Lega Serie A after their shareholders’ meeting in Milan on Monday.
Despite the push from top clubs for a reduction to 18 clubs in Serie A, only four clubs – Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and AS Roma – voted in favor of the change, falling short of the necessary majority of 14. As a result, the number of clubs will remain at 20, a status quo that has been in place since the 2004-05 season.
The aim of the top clubs in pushing for a reduction was to minimize the number of games played and enhance the quality of football in the league.
Additionally, a set of reforms proposals were approved, which will be presented at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Italian football federation (FIGC) in March.
It is apparent that the Italian league is striving for increased autonomy from the FIGC, similar to the structure of the Premier League in England.
Lega President Lorenzo Casini emphasized the current limitations of the system in granting Serie A the necessary autonomy and decision-making authority, particularly in relation to its significant economic influence.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
