Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina said Tuesday that soccer's world and European governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, are not happy about the decision by Premier Giorgia Meloni's government to create an independent commission to oversee the economic and financial situations of Italian professional football and basketball clubs.
The FIGC and the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), the governing body for sport in Italy, have criticised the move, saying there is a risk of penalties from international sporting bodies for alleged political interference in the world of sport.
"Yesterday an email arrived from UEFA and FIFA, which was very stern," Gravina told the Lower House's culture committee.
"It calls on us to put pressure on the government to reverse this measure, which violates the autonomy of sport".
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has dismissed the charge of government meddling.
"There is no danger for the autonomy of sport," he said.
"None of the regulations are in conflict with the autonomy of sport.
"The regulation provides precise criteria; the commission will deliver its assessments to the federations, which will then make their decisions on registering teams for championships".
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