Serie A to be reduced to 18 teams by 2016

Italian football chief Carlo Tavecchio confirmed that he wants Serie A reduced to 18 teams by 2016 while backing Antonio Conte’s plans for the national side.

Following the disastrous World Cup campaign calls for the Italian top flight to be reduced from 20 to 18 sides got louder.

Reducing the league would free up the fixture list and resources, while raising the quality level of the League.

“Cutting Serie A to 18 teams is the big objective of 2015, along with qualification for Euro 2016,” Tavecchio told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“We want to vote on the change by June 30 for the 2016-17 campaign. Serie A would be 18 teams, Serie B 20 and the Lega Pro still to be defined, keeping in mind Serie D can develop a great deal.”

Tavecchio also backed Conte’s demands to end the 2015-16 season early, giving more of a build-up to Euro 2016.

“You cannot prepare for a European championship in 18 days. The average is 28.8 days, so I am convinced that with everyone’s collaboration we can sort this out. I will personally ask for the League to finish early.

“I speak to Conte almost every day, he is a tenacious man and a great Coach. The FIGC have never abandoned the Coach or his staff. The very clear objective is to give back strength and prestige to Club Italia.

“Everyone agrees the Nazionale reflects the country. Anyone who objects to this means they are against the growth of the overall football system. The Nazionale comes first.”