The FIGC has called on the local government to introduce a fund to “save football” in the country and has suggested that a share of betting revenue be donated to clubs and organisations with finantial and economic problems.
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports that FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has proposed that 1% of betting revenue generated in Italy be put towards football’s recovery effort amid financial uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fund would look to support both professional and amateur clubs in Italy, where top-tier football has been suspended for the foreseeable future following the outbreak.
“We cannot ask the government for money because we know very well that there are other priorities at the moment. We ask, however, for the establishment of a fund with resources from the FIGC, which will make important sacrifices right now, and resources that must come from betting,” said Gravina.
On how the betting revenue can be distributed, Gravina added: “There is a European Union resolution that says that copyright on betting must be protected. France already applies 1% and the same thing has been asked for by the NBA.”
Gazzetta dello Sport noted that 1% of the total revenue generated by the betting sector in Italy during 2019 would amount to €104m. The report added that the FIGC’s proposal is likely to be discussed at some point during the first half of April but is not a matter of emergency as it does not form part of the ‘Cura Italia’ decree, which will look to provide financial security for Italy’s health system, families and other essential businesses first and foremost.
Source: GMB / Sport Business
