Lebanese

Non-EU players


Unlike La Liga imposed quota on numbers of non-EU players on each clubs; Serie A clubs could sign non-EU players as many as available on domestic transfer. But since 2003-04 season, quota was imposed on each clubs for signing non-EU, non-EFTA and non-Swiss player from abroad each season, an provisional measures was set in 2002-03 season, which only allowed Serie A & B club to sign 1 non-EU player in 2002 summer transfer windows.

In the mid of 2000-01 season, the old quota system was abolished, which no more limited each team to have not more than 5 non-EU player and used no more than 3 in each match. Co-current with the abolish of the quota, FIGC had investigated footballers that using a fake passport. Alberto and Warley, Alejandro Da Silva and Jorginho Paulista of Udinese, Fábio Júnior and Gustavo Bartelt of Roma, Dida of Milan, Alvaro Recoba of Inter, Thomas Job, Francis Ze, Mekongo Ondoa of Sampdoria, Jeda and Dede of Vicenza were banned in July 2001, for 6 months to 1 year. However, most of the ban were reduced.

Since 2008-09 season, 3 quotas will be awarded to clubs that do not have non-EU players in their squad; Clubs that have one non-EU player have 2 quotas.

Those clubs which have 2 non-EU players, they will be awarded 1 quota and 1 conditional quota, which awarded after: 1) Transferred 1 non-EU player abroad, or 2) Release 1 non-EU player as free agent, or 3) A non-EU player received EU nationality.

Clubs with 3 or more non-EU players, will have 2 conditional quotas, but releasing two non-EU players as free agent, will only have 1 quota instead of 2. Serie B and Lega Pro clubs cannot sign non-EU player from abroad, except those followed the club promoted from Serie D.

Big clubs with many foreigner, usually borrowed quota from other clubs which have few foreigner or no foreigner, in order to sign more non-EU players . Adrian Mutu joined Juventus via Livorno in 2005, as at that time Romania is not a member of EU. Other case likes Júlio César and Maxwell joined Internazionale from Chievo and Empoli respectively.

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