Galliani backed by clubs as FIGC presidency challenger to Malagò

Marotta and Percassi are pushing for an alternative to Malagò, with candidacies due by 4 November and the vote in December. Napoli are watching and have taken no side.

by Rosaria CimminoSaturday 24 October, 13:01 CET· 1 hour ago

Presidenza FIGC, la fronda dei club lancia Galliani contro Malagò: il Napoli non si scopre — Grafica Arena Napoli

A group of Serie A clubs, unhappy with how decisions are made at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), is working on a bid by Adriano Galliani for the federation presidency. The name had started out with unanimous support around Giovanni Malagò. That unanimity has now gone.

Beppe Marotta and Luca Percassi are the first to move. The complaint is the lack of constant, detailed consultation on the federation's strategic decisions. The dissenting clubs are seeking support beyond Serie A, among the other parts of Italian football.

Candidacies must be formalised by 4 November and the vote is in December. Napoli, as far as we understand, are keeping their cards close. The club of Aurelio De Laurentiis is following the matter closely and choosing caution. It wants to know how united the alternative front really is, and how solid its project is, before deciding which line best protects the club's interests.

That is understandable, but it raises a question. Napoli carry weight in the Lega (the league body that runs Serie A), and a club that wants to be ahead on the pitch should soon know which side it is on off it. On Saturday 24 October at 18:00 CET (17:00 UK, 12:00 ET) the focus is on Roma, but by 4 November the federation contest will demand an answer.