The new president of the Lega Serie A Ezio Maria Simonelli was interviewed by The Republicthese are the themes he touched on.
NEW PRESIDENT – “In sport you fight fairly to win and then with equal loyalty and honesty you honor the winner. Here the fighting was not very fair. I was ready to make a conciliatory speech, not to say “I will be everyone's president”. I say that I will be a president who listens to the requests of all 20 companies, not just two or three. There will be times when interests conflict and mediation will need to be found.”
REQUESTS TO THE GOVERNMENT – “At this stage the government is willing to listen to us. The issues to be presented are the restoration of the growth decree for athletes, which would reduce taxation on those arriving from abroad. The possibility of sponsorships from betting companies. The fight against piracy, in which the League is already achieving many results. The appointment of a commissioner for the stadium problem, which I believe is within the scope of this government and the minister. Even in Milan Cortina, where I am in the supervisory body, I saw that the commissioner for the works was really useful”.
YOUNG – “Investments have been made in Research and Development for businesses. Here, football nurseries are research and development. If it could be done, I would also apply the growth decree to young footballers, with a tax exemption below a certain age. It would also be important for the national team, to try to get new Tottis, Del Piero, Cannavaro: perhaps the clubs would focus on a young Italian instead of picking him up in Portugal.”
RELATIONS WITH MONZA – “I resolved all the incompatibilities upstream, the real ones and others that were a bit forced. I have too much respect for the League and for those who elected me to let them take any risks. It was a sacrifice, both prestige and economic. But I love football, I made a commitment.”
