Serie A Under Threat: CEO De Siervo Raises Concerns Over FIFA and UEFA Influence
Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A, has sounded the alarm over the increasing pressure from FIFA and UEFA on national leagues, warning that they risk becoming mere qualifiers for international competitions. Read on to discover the challenges facing Serie A and other top leagues in Europe.
Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A, gave a lengthy interview to Rivista Undici, once again sounding the alarm over the squeeze that the leagues are facing from UEFA and FIFA – not only in terms of fixture schedules, but also regarding their international visibility.And the risk, highlighted by the number two at Via Rosellini in Milan, is that national leagues will come to be seen as mere qualifiers for European competitions and nothing more."Serie A has been contested by 20 teams for more than twenty years, the same number of clubs as in the top leagues in Spain and England. At the same time, however, we are seeing an increase in European and international competitions, where the sheer scale of UEFA and, above all, FIFA risks overwhelming national competitions to make way for new tournaments such as the Club World Cup, organised without prior consultation with all stakeholders.""The aim of these major institutions is to continue expanding, taking up ever more space in an already packed fixture list. In fact, the leagues are the last truly democratic element of the system. Just think: to hold its own domestically, the Premier League has decided to expand its television coverage by 20%, increasing the number of matches broadcast in England""The World Leagues Association, of which I am vice-president, has decided to take FIFA to court on grounds of abuse of a dominant position, to prevent the overcrowded fixture list from causing further damage to domestic competitions. We are fighting this battle not so much to safeguard the heritage of the leagues, but out of respect for our fans."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting"The risk is that the leagues will become nothing more than preliminary qualifiers for international competitions, losing their charm and tradition, and destroying the heritage of the clubs and cities that embody football as we have always known it"
The Squeeze on National Leagues
During a recent interview with Rivista Undici, Luigi De Siervo expressed deep concerns about the overwhelming influence of FIFA and UEFA on national leagues. He highlighted the threat of leagues being overshadowed by the relentless expansion of international tournaments, such as the Club World Cup, which could diminish the significance of domestic competitions.
The Fight for League Autonomy
De Siervo emphasized the importance of preserving the autonomy and integrity of national leagues, describing them as the last democratic element within the football ecosystem. With FIFA and UEFA pushing for a more crowded fixture list, the risk of leagues losing their essence and becoming mere stepping stones to continental competitions is a real concern.
Challenges Ahead for Serie A
Serie A, a league steeped in history and tradition, is not immune to the pressures imposed by global governing bodies. De Siervo's remarks shed light on the ongoing battle to protect the heritage of Italian clubs and cities that form the backbone of football culture in the country.
A Call to Action
De Siervo's role as the vice-president of the World Leagues Association signifies a united front among leagues worldwide to challenge FIFA's dominance and preserve the essence of domestic competitions. The fight is not just for the leagues themselves but also for the millions of fans who cherish the unique identities and rivalries that define football at a national level.
