Italian clubs will only be allowed to buy one non-European
Union player in the coming season after the soccer federation voted
to change the rules overnight following the Azzurri's World Cup
flop.
Teams had
previously been allowed to buy two non-EU players per season but
action has been taken to increase the pool of Italian talent after
the world champions crashed out in the group stage in South
Africa.
But the
top-flight Serie A, which will govern itself this term for the
first time, reacted angrily to the decision.
"The reduction
was approved by the federation board with Serie A voting against,"
Serie A president Maurizio Beretta told the new Serie A
website.
"The decision
leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and does not resolve Italian
soccer's problems."
Inter Milan won
the Champions League final in May without an Italian in its
starting line-up while new Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said he
would consider foreign players eligible for the Azzurri if he had
to.
abc.net.au
