Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo has pointed to unlawful streaming and the ensuing lack of TV income as an element behind Italy’s struggles to nurture homegrown expertise because the Azzurri attempt to return to the World Cup for the primary time since 2014.
As soon as a everlasting fixture on the World Cup, four-times world champions Italy discover themselves in dire straits having missed out on the final two editions and vulnerable to lacking out on a 3rd after dropping their first qualifier towards Norway.
Italian authorities not too long ago intensified efforts to counter on-line piracy, which is costing billions of euros to broadcasters and sports activities leagues globally as they attempt to defend the worth of their broadcast rights.
TV rights make up the majority of income for Serie A groups and De Siervo mentioned “there’s nonetheless a mountain to climb” after they misplaced income to the tune of €300 million ($345.15m) final 12 months.
“Many query why our nationwide crew is on this scenario and why there’s a lack of expertise, one cause being the losses attributable to piracy,” De Siervo mentioned at an occasion on the combat towards piracy.
“All the cash that’s misplaced yearly shouldn’t be invested within the youth groups and within the development of our younger gamers, a significant subject that has led our nationwide crew to face many difficulties.
“Along with this, the age-old services don’t permit the golf equipment and the system to acquire excessive revenues. This must be modified and this legislation goes in the best path.”
De Siervo mentioned in the event that they proceed to lose income, Italy and Serie A might tumble down UEFA’s coefficient rankings.
“We’re already far behind the Premier League and the Spanish LaLiga,” he mentioned.
“If we proceed like this, we are going to end behind the Germans and we are going to find yourself being on the backside of the desk [of Europe’s top five leagues] along with the French.”