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Today, the Federal Council meeting was held in the ‘Paolo Rossi’ Hall at the Italian Football Federation headquarters in Rome. In his opening remarks, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina informed the Council of the reasons that led him to resign in the days following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, also reviewing the discussions held with the federal components and with the VII Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. With specific reference to the latter, Gravina explained that he had prepared a report on the state of health of Italian football, which was later published on the federal website after the hearing originally scheduled for 8 April was cancelled. In his remarks, he also reiterated the need to clarify once and for all, also for the benefit of the media and supporters, the respective scope of action and responsibilities of the Federation, the Leagues and the institutions at all levels. Finally, he said he was pleased that the proposals put forward in the aforementioned report had been taken up almost in their entirety in the draft bill circulated in the Senate last week. At the same time, however, he denounced as serious the specific provision referring to the possibility, established by law, of placing the FIGC under administration, describing it as a measure that would not solve the existing problems and as a clear violation of the principle of autonomy enshrined in and protected by the statutes of the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and UEFA.
In his briefing, Secretary General Marco Brunelli informed the councillors that the report on the activities of the Federal Safeguarding Commission for the second half of 2025 had been submitted. The report also outlines the results achieved and the future development of the safeguarding policies of the Italian Football Federation, including the action guidelines for the following six-month period.
Regulatory Amendments
In line with the position that emerged at the last Federal Council meeting, the councillors shared and approved the proposed amendment to Article 49 of the NOIF put forward by Lega Serie B and Lega Pro, according to which, in the event a newly promoted club does not participate in the higher division championship, that club must be replaced by another club from the same league of origin (principle of replacement).
With regard to the Serie C championship, the readmission procedure will also be triggered where an application for admission to the championship is submitted without the registration fee and/or the guarantee required under the National Licensing Manual.
Procedures, Criteria and Deadlines for Filling Vacancies. Participation Rules for Second Teams in Serie C and Serie D
The Council approved the procedures, criteria and deadlines for filling vacancies in the professional leagues. Specifically, last year’s framework was retained, with only the priority order for repechage in Lega Pro updated. For the upcoming sporting season, under the alternation principle, the order will be as follows: a new Serie A second team, Lega Pro, Serie D, and, if applicable, a Serie A second team participating in the Serie D championship.
The deadline for submitting applications to fill vacancies relating to readmissions, replacements and repechage has been set for 20 July 2026.
Registration Deadlines and Regulatory Provisions for Men’s Serie A, Serie B and Serie C
The Council delegated the Federal President to approve the player registration windows for professional footballers as follows: from 29 June to 1 September 2026 (20:00) for Serie A; from 1 July to 1 September 2026 (20:00) for Serie B and Serie C; and from 2 January to 1 February 2027 (20:00) for Serie A, B and C.
For non-EU players’ registration, the same regulations applied in the previous season will remain in force.
As for registration windows for the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti, the Council approved the following dates: from 1 July to 30 September 2026, and from 1 December to 16 December 2026.