Giants walk out of Lega Calcio ?

Giants walk out after Lega vote Tuesday 4 September, 2007

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Parma’s Tommaso Ghirardi beat Juventus chief Giovanni Cobolli Gigli to the Lega Calcio vote, prompting the five big clubs to walk out.

The union of all the Serie A and B clubs is reaching meltdown after today’s surprise election and Milan general manager Adriano Galliani warned: “We are seeking legal advice.”


The election for a sixth counsellor to join Torino’s Urbano Cairo, Lazio’s Claudio Lotito, Giampaolo Pozzo of Udinese, Livorno President Aldo Spinelli and Atalanta’s Ivan Ruggeri was held today.


It was expected to be Juventus man Cobolli Gigli (pictured), but instead Parma patron Ghirardi won the vote 11-8.


“With this failed election of Cobolli Gigli, there are no representatives of the five big clubs in the council, because Rosella Sensi is the vice-President without a vote and Massimo Moratti and myself, as Federation counsellors, have no vote either,” explained Milan’s Galliani.


“We believe this council does not represent all of Serie A, as 16 per cent of the fans support 15 clubs, but the 84 per cent of supporters in the stadiums will always lose a vote now, as we are in the minority. So we left.”


In a shock move, Milan, Inter, Juventus, Roma and Napoli walked out of this evening’s Lega Calcio meeting.


“We certainly won’t sit here impotently,” added Galliani. “Even if we have to change some things, we’ll still be in the minority and can’t get a vote. We have already considered a course of action, but the lawyers suggested we keep it to ourselves for the moment.”


The main problem with this set-up is who decides on the division of pay-per-view television rights and the funds handed over to the smaller Serie A and B clubs.


“It is a shame, as I believe the side with the most fans should be able to give its contribution in a time where there are so many important decisions to be made,” said Cobolli Gigli.

Channel 4

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Looks like there is a small war between Juve, Inter, Roma, Milan and Napoli on one side and all the "small" teams on the other side

God, it's ALWAYS something with Italian football, isn't it?

Yes, its a case of the haves vs the have nots....because I am a Milan fan, I would side with Galliani et al, however, as a "champion of the poor" I feel for the small clubs, who finally may have some say in how tv money gets distributed...

Really though, I hope its resolved...and Tay, IMO, all the leagues have their problems...from conflicts of interest, refs being party to gambling rings, to suitcases of cash, to potential legal action over relegation, the EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga all have their issues...

Because we are so "close" to the Serie A, this latest incident is big news for us, but do u really think EPL fans for instance, even know, or care about this? Do we care that Sunderland is going to sue West Ham in civil court?

Ah, didnt think so.

What??? Not Sunderland!!! No!!!

Just kidding

Originally Posted by Warro Bantan

Yes, its a case of the haves vs the have nots....because I am a Milan fan, I would side with Galliani et al, however, as a "champion of the poor" I feel for the small clubs, who finally may have some say in how tv money gets distributed...

It should be a sellers market, not a communistic system. If 1 million watch Milan and 1000 watch Catania then they should get dividends based on that. although due to football being dualist (team meets each other) there should be a 50/50 sharing basis IMO. 50% of income goes after popularity (fans and/or subcribers) and other 50% is divided extra.

The smaller clubs problem in Italy is not how much the TV money is divided as much as it is their other lack of income and their ****ty management.

thank+++++++++شكرا

Now there are rumors (channel4.com) of the possible creating of a "Super League" in Italy...Inter, Roma, Milan, Juve and Napoli I believe have met to discuss this possibility...anyone know more?