Refereeing chief Marcello Nicchi has warned that another Calciopoli could hit Italian football if officials lose their right to vote at the top of the game.
The Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) stands to lose its 2 percent voting allocation in the FIGC’s Federal Council, and Nicchi claimed it was an open door to more ‘meddling’ behind the scenes.
“To undermine the independence and impartiality of our referees could mean the start of a new Calciopoli,” he told Radio Anch’io Sport.
Refereeing chief Marcello Nicchi has warned that another Calciopoli could hit Italian football if officials lose their right to vote at the top of the game.
The Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) stands to lose its 2 percent voting allocation in the FIGC’s Federal Council, and Nicchi claimed it was an open door to more ‘meddling’ behind the scenes.
“To undermine the independence and impartiality of our referees could mean the start of a new Calciopoli,” he told Radio Anch’io Sport.
“Strike action? I do everything to calm the referees, but if one day someone goes out on the pitch and doesn’t find the referee, I wouldn’t be surprised.
“Referees must be allowed to vote out of democratic principle. [It seems] someone wants to meddle with the referees: 2% is a residual allocation.
“Who would benefit from this decision, if not Serie A? Everything else is in our favour.
“Meddling with referees would mean that everyone has their say, in terms of designating, growth, and organisation.”