Italian football has come under scrutiny due to the controversial Mulé amendment, which risked the country’s involvement in European cup competitions and its hosting rights for the EURO 2032 tournament. Proposed by Giorgio Mulé, the amendment has been heavily criticised for potentially violating FIFA and UEFA’s stringent regulations, which stipulate independence from political interference.
In response to FIFA and UEFA’s warning, Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi received a letter expressing concerns about the possible exclusion of Italian teams from European competitions and the withdrawal of hosting rights for the EURO 2032 tournament. However, recent developments indicate significant changes to the wording of the Mulé amendment from the original version.
The revised amendment no longer contains the contentious provisions that initially caused outrage. These include allowing clubs to bypass the sporting justice system and appeal directly to civil courts, as well as granting Serie A the power to veto reforms and seek independence from the Italian Football Federation—a system similar to the English Premier League’s independence from the English Football Association.
The only remaining point of contention in the revised amendment is the requirement for the Lega Serie A to have ‘adequate representation’ within the FIGC board. Minister for Sport Abodi expressed optimism, stating that the revised amendment will facilitate a balanced and sensible solution, taking into account the interests of both the Federation and Serie A.
Lega Serie A President Lorenzo Casini also welcomed the altered version of the amendment, emphasising that it grants more representation to the Lega Serie A within the federal system and marks a significant step towards the long-awaited reforms. Casini likened the amendment to the Italian football equivalent of the Boston Tea Party, citing the principle of “no taxation without representation.”
These modifications to the controversial Mulé amendment indicate a critical development for Italian football, potentially averting the threat of sanctions from FIFA and UEFA, and paving the way for a more balanced and harmonious relationship between Serie A and the Italian Football Federation. As Italian football looks ahead, these changes offer a glimmer of hope for a more positive and collaborative future.