By Andrew Warshaw
May 29 – In what is being flagged up as the end of an era, Italy is set to outlaw co-ownership of players from next season, falling into line with the rest of Europe. Italy is the last main footballing nation in Europe under which two teams can effectively share half a particular player’s contract and economic rights.
But Italian Football Association (FIGC) President Giancarlo Abete (pictured) said it was now time to do away with the practise.
“In the coming months there will be an evaluation of all the co-ownerships still in place, but it is obvious that this type of procedure is not normal and not in line with the rest of Europe. Co-ownerships will no longer be possible,” he said. “Not all Serie A clubs were in favour of the move, even though the majority were in agreement.
“From the next transfer window onwards, the co-ownership of players will no longer be possible. This has been questioned many times by public opinion and it is also evident that it is atypical compared to the rest of Europe.”
Under co-ownership, a club buys 50% of players’ rights. The buying team keeps the player for one season, paying his wages, and at the end of that the deal can either be extended for another year or ended with one club purchasing the other’s share.
Although it is different from third party ownership, a practise being heavily targeted by UEFA though still prevalent in South America, it nevertheless permits players to be owned by more than one entity, a confusing scenario and one which UEFA disapproves of especially when it comes to monitoring transfers.
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