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Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and Roma are increasingly breaking with the rest of the clubs in Serie A behind the scenes.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that the quartet of clubs’ desire to reduce the number of teams in the league is a key factor in the growing split.

In February, there had been a secret meeting between representatives of Inter, Milan, Juventus, and Roma, and Italian FA President Gabriele Gravina.

That meeting concerned the clubs’ desire to reduce the number of teams in Serie A.

Currently, twenty teams compete in Serie A – the same number as the Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1.

The biggest clubs in the division want to reduce that number to eighteen. That is equal to the number of teams in the Bundesliga.

And it’s not hard to see why the Nerazzurri, the Rossoneri, the Bianconeri, and the Giallorossi have this stance.

All four regularly compete in Europe, whether the Champions League or Europa League.

Therefore, there is a significant extra burden in terms of the fixture list.

The expansion of the Champions League only adds to this. As does the expanded Club World Cup format – in which Inter and Juventus will compete next year.

Inter, AC Milan, Juventus & Roma Increasingly Breaking With Rest Of Serie A

The four big clubs are adamant in their position that Serie A should reduce the number of teams in the division by two.

Meanwhile, the majority of other clubs are fine with things the way they are.

Notably, this includes two other “big” clubs in Lazio and Napoli.

According to the Corriere, the rift has widened in recent days.

The newspaper also notes that that is not the only issue that is motivating the four big clubs in their growing alienation from the rest of Serie A.

There is also the political issue of the autonomy of the Italian FA vis-a-vis Serie A.

Currently, the Italian top flight only have a 12% stake in the FA. Inter, Milan, Juventus, and Roma are not happy with that state of affairs.

This article first appeared on SempreInter.com and was syndicated with permission.

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