After a meeting today in Rome, the FIGC (the Italian FA) has voted to abolish the co-ownership of players with immediate effect for the Summer 2014 transfer window.
At the press conference today, FIGC president Giancarlo Abete addressed the situation of currently held co-ownerships in saying, "There remains the option to renew [the outstanding co-ownerships] for one more year." But after that point, no new co-ownership deals can be signed.
The move brings Italy in line with UEFA new rules governing the contracts of players, largely similar to those in France and England.
" Many times, " Abete added, "questions were raised at the level of public opinion and tax issues and had highlighted the atypical nature of this institution on the regulatory side and also on the European tax. know that not all companies were favorable, even if the majority agree. We decided to repeal this institution directly, even if the (Serie A) president Lotito has shown that the position of Serie A was not unique. has not been a League proposal, but a proposal by the FIGC. During the coming months we will take a census of the current situation. "
Notable names whose "co-ownership" decisions are coming up for review include Fiorentina and Colombia international midfielder Juan Cuardado, Torino striker Ciro Immobile, Lazio midfielder Lucas Candreva, and Milan midfielder Andrea Poli.
But there would be players at clubs, including Bologna and Fiorentina, who would find themselves finally costless of the club they had signed for (but had no real opportunity to play). For tens to hundreds of players on the books of Serie A and B sides but who have been consistently away on co-ownership or loan, they can finally start to look at their future without worrying about the stakes the parent club had in them.