They win large history of our football and loses Claudio Lotito (aligned with Aurelio Of Lawrence). Ezio's appointment Simonelliformer accountant of Berlusconi and appreciated by the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti (League), again president of the Serie A League marks in some way a historic turning point for the control room of the top Italian championship. Since after the defeat (dated 4 November last) on the reform front FIGC Statute with the new political weight for Serie A (in which 12 club voted differently compared to the indications given by Lotito himself and by the president of Lega Casini) towards the elections of the new federal president (set for next February 3rd), Simonelli's election yesterday marks a second blow for the Lazio boss, who for years had been held up as the true driver of our football's steam.
Who voted for Berlusconi's former accountant
In detail, those voting for Simonelli, who takes the place of Loti's Lorenzo Casini, yesterday were:
- Atalanta,
- Inter
- Juventus
- Bologna,
- Venezia,
- Udinese,
- Roma,
- As,
- Parma,
- Fiorentina,
- Monza,
- Cagliari,
- Milan,
- Lecce.
On the other hand, they took sides instead:
- Lazio,
- Napoli,
- Verona,
- Empoli,
- Genoa,
- Torino.
Il Torino which, however, had been among the 15 companies that had said they were in favor of Simonellias already in the first assembly to elect the new president of the League, yesterday too he left this group having no intention of opposing the line Lotito-De Laurentiis.
Furthermore, according to what we learn, he did not convince Urbano Cairo that would also be the theme of ineligibility Of Simonelli given that the jurist Natalino Loosequestioned by the outgoing president Lorenzo Casini, on the question of the independence of the president of the Lega Serie A, had explained how the candidate for president must be independent, that is, not have «no relationship in any capacity with the Associated Companies, and/or with the reference shareholders and subsidiaries of the Associated Companies, and/or with the group to which the Associated Companies belong, and/or with another professional league».
Among the positions of Simonelli there are some relationships with the galaxy Fininvestthe holding company through which the family Berlusconi check the Monza as well as Mediaset and the other societies of the galaxy. In particular, the charges are the following:
- Member of the Mondadori Board of Statutory Auditors;
- President of the Board of Statutory Auditors of Mediaset;
- Alternate auditor of Fininvest.
SimonelliHowever, already at the first meeting, he had presented a letter with which he explained that he had in turn communicated his intention to the companies in question resign from the positions in the event of election as president of the Lega Serie A. Now the question, after the vote, will in any case pass through a verification of the independence requirements established by the Statute. «We are also confident because Simonelli has clearly respected the requirements also for being able to run, so I am very confident”, explained Inter president Giuseppe Marotta. However, it is an issue on which Lotito does not give up and indeed promises battle: the League Council convened for 27 December will in fact be called upon to give an opinion on Simonelli's eligibility. And it cannot be ruled out that the Lazio boss could further clash in legal terms.
Certainly no less significant is the candidacy of Simonelli has also been firmly supported by part of the governmentsince his name it is particularly appreciated by the Minister of Economy, Giancarlo Giorgettiwhich in June 2023 appointed him as a member of the board of directors of Amcoa company linked to the ministry of via XX Settembre, specialized in the management of impaired loans for purposes of public interest. Giorgetti for another long-time friend of Inter president Giuseppe Marotta. They are both of Varese.
Not only that but Simonelli al MEF he also enjoys the support of another important figure, the deputy minister Maurizio Leo. The latter, in charge of tax reform by Giorgia Meloni, is a long-time friend of Simonelli, given that in the early 2000s, the two had even considered the idea of opening a studio professional in society, a project that was then shelved. Not only that: when Simonelli he inaugurated his studio in Milanoafter leaving Ernst & Young, Leo, then a simple militant of the Roman right, participated in the event, underlining the bond between the two.
Who is Simonelli and his background in football
Graduated in economy e trade at the University of Perugia in 1982, Simonelli, is chartered accountant and auditor and is known in the news as a particular friend of Adriano Galliani as well as Silvio's former accountant Berlusconi.
Managing partner of Simonelli Associati, a tax law firm based in Milan, Simonelli, among other roles, is a member of the Board of Statutory Auditors of Sisal Group SpA and was president of the Board of Statutory Auditors of Mediaset Italia SpA As mentioned, this position will now be abandoned after the election as president of the Serie A Leagueas well as roles in the boards of auditors of Mondadori and Fininvest, the Berlusconi holding company that controls Monza. He is also Statutory Auditor of Recordati SpA and F2i Sgr.
Simonelli he has already had assignments in the football world, given that in 2013 he had already tried to climb the ladder Serie A League, without success, when Maurizio was re-elected Beretta. In 2017, however, he was chosen as regent of the Serie A League after his farewell Beretta and in 2021instead, he had tried his hand at running for president of the Serie B Leaguewithout success, since Mauro was elected Balata.
The challenges on the horizon for the Lega Serie A
Simonelli so he will lead the Serie A League until at least 2028 when the mandate approved yesterday expires. It is obvious that in this period of time there will be various challenges ahead: above all, a political workgiven that the overall priority is greater recognition from Government of the role of football. And there are many topics: ranging from the burning topic of stadiums up to those tax passing through the theme betting and also the piracy audiovisual. And on this last question, the foundations will also have to be laid for the next auction for i TV rights of the championship, considering that the current agreement with DAZN e Sky will expire in 2029.
In the background then remains the theme of other positions. After Simonelli's appointment, the clubs' decision was to postpone also the votes on the other top management roles, starting by the CEO (voting will take place on January 10th). According to some observers, Luigi Servant could go towards the prolongation of mandate since second numerous clubs it would be a gamble to change both i vertices of the League simultaneously in a moment so delicate for football Italian e international.
