Italy risks exclusion from UEFA and FIFA tournaments

After the Italian government made the controversial Mulé amendment, Italian football is at risk of being excluded from FIFA and UEFA tournaments. 

The football governing body has issued a warning, saying that the amendment would be considered a breach of the rules on government interference in the administration of the sport.

 According to reports, the amendment was expected to be adjusted or even scrapped entirely. However, news agency ANSA reported it was passed with some changes, effectively paving the way for Lega Serie A to be independent of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), similar to the move that allowed the formation of the Premier League, breaking away from the English Football Association. 

FIFA and UEFA will soon receive the updated version for further evaluation. 

Until then, Italy can still breathe a sigh of relief ahead of their Nations League games.

Reacting to the development, Forza Italia politician Giorgio Mulé, who drafted the ruling, said that both the highest governing bodies (FIFA and UEFA) will get to know that the amendment is to guarantee an adequate representation in the federal systems. 

“The professional leagues have the right to equal representation in the directive organizations of the sporting federations that take into account the economic contribution given to the system,'” he added. 

He further said that the amendments lead to the beginning of a new era for Italian football, with the fair recognition of the weight and role that the Lega Serie A has within the Federation. 

‘A new page finally brings us up to date with the modern times.’ 

There had been complaints from the Lega Serie that it did not have enough representatives on the FIGC board, despite being the unit that brings in most of the revenue in the Italian football system.

FIFA and UEFA noted that the other big problem with the amendment is that clubs are allowed to bypass the sporting justice system and appeal directly to the TAR tribunal. 

La Repubblica and Sky Sport Italian confirmed the letter from UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin to Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi, warning that ‘if the text remains the same, we would have to exclude Italian teams from the European Cup competition.’

If this issue remains the same, Italy’s hosting rights – alongside Turkey’s – for EURO 2032 could be revoked.