Tavecchio wants to reduce Serie A from 20 to 18 clubs

Posted September 19, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, right, scores on a header past Juventus' Mario Mandzukic, left, and Leonardo Bonucci, center, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Juventus at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

ROME (AP) - Struggling to compete with the English Premier League and the Spanish Liga, Italian football federation president Carlo Tavecchio wants to reduce Serie A from 20 to 18 clubs.

Tavecchio tells Rai state radio that a reduction would increase the overall skill level of the league and attract a bigger fan base with more competitive matches.

Tavecchio also wants to reduce the number of teams in Serie B and the third division. He plans to discuss a three- or a four-year plan with the leagues this week.

He says, "I know there are economic problems and we can't do it in a year."

Serie A president Maurizio Beretta has indicated he is open to discussing the idea.

Serie A had 18 clubs from 1988-2004 before the current 20-team format was introduced.

Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi celebrates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Juventus at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, bottom left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Juventus at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press

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