Napoli president De Laurentiis proposes radical rule changes to attract youth
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has proposed a series of radical changes to football's rules, including shorter matches and the abolition of cards, in a bid to make the sport more appealing to younger generations. In an interview with The Athletic, the 76-year-old film producer and club owner argued that the modern game is losing touch with youth audiences and requires fundamental reform to survive.
De Laurentiis identified match length as a primary issue, suggesting a dramatic reduction in playing time. "I would reduce the duration of each half from 45 to 25 minutes," he stated, proposing a model similar to rugby union with shorter halves but effective playing time, thereby eliminating stoppage-time calculations. This, he believes, would address complaints that matches and stoppages are too long.
Accompanying this change, the Napoli president envisions a game without yellow or red cards. Instead of dismissals, he proposed a sin-bin system. "I would never use a red card or a yellow card. On the contrary, I would say: 'You! Out for five minutes,'" De Laurentiis explained. His third major proposal targets the offside rule, which he believes needs significant revision to foster more goals and spectacle.
These suggestions come from one of Serie A's most prominent and outspoken figures, who has owned Napoli since 2004 and overseen its rise from Serie C to a Scudetto winner in 2023. De Laurentiis has frequently criticized football's governing bodies and commercial structures. His latest comments reflect a growing concern among some executives about football's ability to compete with shorter-form digital entertainment for the attention of younger fans.
The proposals, while extreme, tap into ongoing debates about the sport's pace and spectacle. Similar discussions around effective playing time have been held by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game's rule-making body. However, the wholesale changes suggested by De Laurentiis, particularly removing cards, are far outside current considerations and would face significant opposition from football's traditional institutions.
It remains unclear if De Laurentiis intends to formally advocate for these changes within European football governance or if his comments are purely polemical. The Napoli president is known for his provocative public statements, often aimed at stimulating debate. His club currently sits in the upper half of Serie A as it rebuilds following last season's title triumph and the subsequent departure of manager Luciano Spalletti and several key players.
While these specific rule changes are unlikely to be implemented, the interview underscores a perceived urgency among some club owners to adapt the sport's format for future sustainability. The focus on attracting a younger demographic is a strategic priority for leagues and broadcasters worldwide, though solutions typically involve digital content and accessibility rather than altering the core rules of the game.
