FIGC, Gravina: Fewer promotions and relegations by December | OneFootball

From the stage of the RCS Sport Industry Talk, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina outlined a comprehensive picture of the challenges facing Italian football, focusing on institutional relations with the Serie A League, the evolution of the overall system reform, and a proposal destined to spark debate: reducing turnover between categories, with a significant cut in promotions and relegations.

FIGC, Gravina opens to change: “By December, I will propose the reduction of promotions and relegations. The system needs to be cooled down”

An extensive intervention, in which Gravina reviewed the progress made in recent years, highlighting the need for a structural reform aimed at economic sustainability, rather than just the numerical reduction of professional teams.

Relations with the Serie A League: “A new and more participatory method”

Gravina described a change in relations with the Serie A League after a complex period: “After a difficult season, today we have a more participatory and enlightened method. The approach where personal positions were imposed at the expense of the general interest has been overcome.”

He then recalled the amendment of the statute, which took place in November 2024, granting the Serie A League greater autonomy: “This autonomy has favored dialogue and the identification of shared solutions. The personal relationship with Simonelli helps, but it does not influence decisions, which remain oriented towards the good of Italian football.”

The football reform: “Already underway, but perceived less than it should be”

The FIGC president clarified that the reform is not a future project, but a process already initiated: “The reform started with the strategic plan of March 2024, a real industrial plan focused on economic sustainability.”

According to Gravina, public opinion tends to identify the reform only with the revision of the championships or the reduction of professional teams, a reductive vision: “Sustainability, infrastructure, development: it is not just a numerical issue.”

Too many professional teams? “Yes, but consensus is needed”

On the topic of the 100 professional teams, Gravina was clear: the political will to change is there, but unanimity among the components is lacking. “We are the only federation in the world with three professional categories. Decree 36 of 2021 allows the transition to semi-professionalism in Lega Pro with significant tax reliefs. Courage is needed: it is an act of responsibility.”

The proposal: reduce turnover between categories

The core of his intervention came when he spoke about the excessive number of promotions and relegations: “In Serie A, 15-20% of teams are relegated, in B 35%, in C 20%. It is unsustainable.”

Such a high turnover compromises economic stability, especially in Lega Pro, where many relegated teams fail to survive: “In the last four years, in C, three out of four relegated teams have gone bankrupt.”

For this reason, Gravina announced a concrete initiative: “Probably a turnover of 10% in A, 20% in B, and 20% in C is a realistic path. By December, I will make this proposal.”

A reform aimed at “cooling down the system” and redistributing resources more equitably.

Too many matches? A reflection on the calendar is necessary

On the issue of match overload, the president argues that the real imbalance arises from the excessive dependence of clubs on UEFA revenues: “International competitions are cannibalizing the championships. A reflection on the number of teams and mutuality is needed.”

VAR under scrutiny: “Error rate too high, needs to be used better”

Finally, the technology theme: “VAR had reduced the error rate to around 8-9%. This year we are at 23-24%. It is evident that something needs to be reviewed.”

Gravina hopes for a more selective use and interpreted with greater competence, not an increase in intervention: “It needs to be used better, not more.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.