Lotito and Abodi call for radical reform of Italian football governance
Claudio Lotito, the Lazio president and Italian senator, has called for the government to appoint a high-profile commissioner to oversee a complete reform of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Speaking during a parliamentary hearing with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, Lotito argued that the current governance model is outdated and requires a radical overhaul. He proposed the installation of an international commissioner, supported by a specialist sports commission, with a mandate lasting until the end of 2028 to rewrite the federation's foundational statutes.
Lotito's stark intervention highlights the deepening crisis within Italian football following the national team's failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. He stated that the government has the tools to intervene if there is a genuine will to rebuild the sport from its foundations. "The issue is refounding," Lotito said, according to reports from the hearing. "Football needs reforms starting from the foundational law." He believes a commissioner-led process could resolve systemic issues within a year, as the core problems are well-known and recurring.
The Lazio president was particularly critical of the upcoming election for a new FIGC president, which will be conducted under a 45-year-old electoral law. He described a system where power is fragmented, with Serie A, which generates most of the revenue, holding only 18% of the voting share, while amateur football holds 34%. "How can a person be elected in a system where majorities don't exist?" Lotito asked, suggesting candidates are forced into unsustainable compromises rather than being elected on a clear reform program.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi echoed the need for systemic change, urging stakeholders to learn from the recent "sporting disaster." He emphasized that the focus should be on developing a coherent program for the future rather than simply changing leadership. "I would like the reasonable certainty that it is not just a change of presidents but a change of system," Abodi stated. He stressed the need to reconcile competing interests within the game to make Italian football more competitive both on the pitch and socially.
A key part of the proposed reforms involves youth development. Abodi revealed that a new agents' regulation has been drafted and is awaiting adoption by the FIGC and the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). He also criticized a recent federation decision to cut youth training bonuses by 50%, arguing it contradicted efforts to strengthen academies after a previous sports-related contract rule was abolished. The minister called for a "team effort" to protect and nurture young Italian talent, which he sees as essential for reviving the national team.
The combined statements from a leading club president and the government minister in charge of sport signal a growing political and institutional impatience with the current state of Italian football governance. With the FIGC presidency vacant and the national team in a prolonged slump, pressure is mounting for structural reforms that go beyond mere administrative changes. The proposals suggest a potential move towards a period of extraordinary administration, where an external commissioner would be empowered to enact sweeping changes to the federation's organization and statutes.
