Players Who Suffer Relegation From Serie A Will Have Their Salaries Automatically Cut Under New Ruling

Serie A salary cuts of 25% will be automatically enforced for relegated players under a new ruling agreed by the Italian Football Federation. 

A five-year deal has been struck between the FIGC and Serie A. It will come into full effect on all top-flight players who sign contracts after September 2 this year. Which is the end of the transfer window in Italy.

The main purpose of the move is to minimize financial implications to those who drop down to Serie B. If or when a team earns promotion back to the top-flight, the reduction is reversed back to its original figure.

Why Will Serie A Salary Cuts Be Enforced For Relegated Players?

With a number of European soccer teams suffering huge financial losses upon top-flight relegation, Serie A and the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) aim to avoid this happening to clubs in Italy.

The main hammer blow is the loss of TV revenue. In essence, many teams rely heavily on the income to allow them to purchase new players to compete in Serie A.

Without that in Serie B, it can be difficult to build up a roster that can challenge for promotion. This season, Serie A betting sites favor all three promoted sides to be fighting relegation. The teams in question are Pisa, Sassuolo and Cremonese.

Another way for recently-relegated clubs to generate funds is to sell their best players. Naturally, that will tarnish a club’s ability to challenge the following seasons.

More often than not, teams can try to hold on to their best and highest paid stars to secure immediate promotion. Naturally, that is another factor to how a club can suffer financially if promotion isn’t achieved.

Are There Any Stipulations That Mean A Player Won’t Face A Serie A Salary Cut Upon Relegation?

The short answer is yes. Exceptions can be made under the agreement between Serie A, the FIGC and AIC (Italian Players’ Association).

The new system will automatically reduce salaries by 25% to all relegated players unless otherwise stated in a player’s contract. Namely, this will be for younger performers whereby a minimum wage is set out, meaning it can’t be reduced after the drop.

In the new ruling, Article 5.2, paragraph 7 of the Serie A players’ collective bargaining agreement, says the following:

“In the event of a team’s relegation to Serie B, the fixed salary is automatically reduced by 25%, without, however, the recalculated salary being allowed to fall below the minimum limit set, depending on the player’s age group, by the Serie A players’ collective bargaining agreement.

“The reduction referred to in this paragraph takes effect from the season immediately following the one in which the relegation occurs and remains in effect for any subsequent seasons, except in the case of a new promotion to Serie A, which will result in the original salary level being restored, any agreements to the contrary in individual contracts are in any case reserved.”