The decision to have only Serie A and B clubs in the Coppa Italia infuriated many, raising comparisons with the Super League. ‘It’s an elitist concept of football.’
The plan for the 2021-22 edition of the tournament is to reduce it to just 40 teams, 20 from Serie A and 20 from Serie B.
This will exclude all Serie C and even D sides from competing even in the earliest stages of the competition.
The decision to have only Serie A and B clubs in the Coppa Italia infuriated many, raising comparisons with the Super League. ‘It’s an elitist concept of football.’
The plan for the 2021-22 edition of the tournament is to reduce it to just 40 teams, 20 from Serie A and 20 from Serie B.
This will exclude all Serie C and even D sides from competing even in the earliest stages of the competition.
Lega Pro/Serie C President Francesco Ghirelli released a statement confirming he called an emergency meeting for Monday.
“The decision by Serie A to exclude Lega Pro teams from the Coppa Italia does not only violate consolidated directives, but it is also the expression of an elitist concept of football, one incapable of a vision covering the whole system,” said Ghirelli.
“On Monday we have called an emergency meeting of the Lega Pro council, which will adopt all initiatives to protest the rights of its teams and safeguard the culture of football that respects the most authentic sporting values.
“Innovation is positive, but only when safeguarding the cohesion of the football system.”
Meanwhile, social media commentary has been wholeheartedly negative, pointing inevitable comparisons to the Super League and why that was considered unfair.
Serie B side Venezia called the decision “amazingly tone-deaf.”
Others noted that every time Italian media ask why the Coppa Italia isn't as popular as the FA Cup, then do everything possible to make it impossible for minnows to succeed.
Amazingly tone-deaf. https://t.co/fhKJ3JbB4h
— Venezia FC (@VeneziaFC_EN) May 5, 2021