Italian football reform considers betting revenue share and stronger FIGC oversight

Senator Paolo Marcheschi of Fratelli d’Italia, a rapporteur of the football reform resolution, is finalising a strategic bill aimed at restructuring Italian football.

The proposal would allocate 2% of betting turnover to the FIGC. Furthermore, under the draft, audiovisual piracy would not only be treated as a legal issue but also as a source of reinvestment.

A portion of revenues from AGCOM fines would be redirected into a dedicated fund. These funds would be earmarked for youth development, infrastructure projects, federal training centres, women’s football and grassroots programmes.

Significant changes are also planned for the distribution of TV rights. The reform of sports employment aims to reduce the financial burden on clubs through tax relief, subsidised contributions, VAT reductions, mandatory private insurance for athletes and a broader overhaul of the pension framework.

A central element under discussion is the possibility of introducing legislative “commissionership” powers for the FIGC.

Under the proposal, government intervention could be triggered not only by institutional deadlock but also by a sustained decline in national team performance, effectively linking governance decisions to sporting results.

This, however, raises concerns regarding compatibility with UEFA and FIFA regulations, which generally limit political interference in sporting governance structures.

The development comes as Italian Serie A clubs are pushing for government support to reform and strengthen the football system following the national team’s poor performances and repeated failure to qualify for the World Cup.

A key element of their proposal is a review of Italy’s “Dignity Decree,” introduced in 2018, which imposed a blanket ban on gambling advertising. Alongside a potential easing of advertising restrictions, clubs have also proposed a direct redistribution model linked to betting revenue generated from football matches.