“We want the growth decree to be reinstated, I would also apply it to young people”

The election of Ezio Maria Simonelli as the new president of Lega Serie A, still contested by outgoing president Lorenzo Casini and Lazio number one Claudio Lotito, he can open a new phase in relations between the Confindustria del calcio and other institutions, both sporting and political. A theme, that of programs, which Simonelli himself addresses in the interview given today to La Repubblica: “The government is willing to listen to us, there is an astral alignment. I respect Minister Abodi and with the federal president Gravina there is communion of thought”.

There are many issues to address: Serie A has long been involved in the fight against piracy, in which it recently won an important legal battle. The Milan court has in fact forced Cloudflare, a US provider, to block access to pirate sites and disclose users who share illicit content. It certainly cannot be the only battlefield, obviously: “We want the restoration of the growth decree for athletes – explains Simonelli – and the possibility of sponsorship for clubs by betting agencies”.

Among the themes, as often happens, also structures. Simonelli proposes the appointment of a commissioner for the stadiums “I think it is within the government's control, for Milan-Cortina it was very useful”. Returning to the growth decree, here is a concrete proposal: “If it were possible, I would also apply it to young footballers, with a tax exemption below a certain age”.