Seven top-flight Italian clubs have called for the resignation of Lega Serie A President, Paolo Dal Pino, according to Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.
The group of clubs, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli and Hellas Verona, have expressed their discontent at the handling of the latest domestic rights cycle, among other issues.
In late March, digital streaming service DAZN was eventually awarded the coveted broadcast package following a long and drawn-out battle against fellow incumbent bidder Sky Italia.
The assignment of the rights initially stalled over the potential private investment in the division’s new media rights business by a CVC Capital Partners-led consortium. The private equity firm, which had been in talks with the football governing body alongside Advent International and Fondo Strategico Italiano (FSI) since October, saw its €1.7 billion offer for a 10% stake in the venture accepted.
However, in February, seven top tier teams attempted to block the investment, asserting that the deal was no longer ‘viable’.
According to the report, the clubs have sent two letters voicing their frustrations at the excessive back and forth between votes and the delay in the assignment of the domestic rights.
The first is a formal request for Dal Pino’s resignation – despite the 58-year-old only being re-elected in January – and the second has been filed by law firm Chiomenti Studio Legale on behalf of the clubs, focusing on a complaint about mismanagement and damages of the private investment and rights contracts.
Furthermore, the newspaper suggested that the seven clubs are displeased about Serie A’s lack of plan in place for the return of fans to stadia amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Thursday, Rome was given the go-ahead as a host city of the upcoming 2020 European Championships, having been given clearance by the Italian government for fans to attend at a 25% capacity.
However, the league is yet to address the situation for the return of spectators to domestic competitions and venues.
