Former FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio has called for foreign player limits for Serie A teams.
Tavecchio says major action is needed after Italy’s failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup.
He said, “Being on the couch watching a World Cup without Italy is a regret that 50 million Italians have. Now we need to conceive a plan for rebirth and it’s a pleasure to see Gravina who wants to relaunch the federal training centres.
“However, a ceiling must be put on the use of foreigners in Serie A, there must be at least 5 Italians in the team. Just look at how the presence of some of our best departments has changed. We have always had a great tradition of goalkeepers, now in Serie A there are almost only foreign goalkeepers. The same goes for strikers: we are practically without a centre-forward of great level in our top clubs and it shows in the national team. (Roberto) Mancini is one of the most valid coaches in the country, his results prove it.
“Now he will have this big responsibility to relaunch the national team. It’s not easy, however, because foreigners have been crowding our teams since the Prmavera and Mancini lacks the material to work with.
“Will Serie A ever change? Our football has to deal with mammoth costs and serious economic problems. The reform proposed at the time provided for a group of 18 teams in A, one of 18 in B and 2 of 18 in Serie C. This reduced the professional teams to 70, also harmonizing with the other European federations. The problem is economic, I repeat: if something concrete is not done, even more difficult times await us.”
