The Lega Pro assembly, held today in Florence with the participation of all Serie C clubs, marked a turning point for the future of the league. The key topic of the meeting, introduced by President Matteo Marani, was the approval of the Salary Cap, a measure set to radically change the economic management of clubs.
The Salary Cap, strongly desired and announced in advance by Marani as early as last April, will come into effect on an experimental basis starting from the next sporting season, 2025–2026, and will then become a definitive rule starting from the 2026–2027 season. This historic decision aims to curb the escalation of costs and ensure greater financial sustainability for Serie C clubs — a theme repeatedly emphasized by President Marani.
"The Salary Cap is one of the proposals I made for the new term," Marani had declared. "In the coming weeks, we will set up permanent working groups precisely on this topic. We would like to be able to implement it in the next season. We need to shape it and also understand it based on the models that exist across Europe — there are some that are functional and valid. In general, we must put controls on costs, because otherwise football implodes. Without sound finances, football cannot be played," as relayed via PianetaMilan.it.
In addition to the historic introduction of the Salary Cap, the assembly saw the approval of amendments to the Self-Regulation Code — an important step toward more precisely defining the internal rules of Lega Pro. The implementation criteria of the Zola Reform and the procedures for admission to the league were also presented, providing clarity to the clubs ahead of the next season.
The decision to adopt the Salary Cap represents a concrete response to growing concerns about the financial stability of Serie C football. The goal is clear: to prevent the spiral of unsustainable costs from leading to the collapse of the system. The gradual introduction, with an experimental phase, will allow the effectiveness of the measure to be monitored and any necessary adjustments to be made ahead of its definitive implementation.
The Florence assembly therefore marked a crucial moment for Lega Pro, with the adoption of measures aimed at building a more solid and sustainable future for Serie C football. The introduction of the Salary Cap, together with regulatory updates and guidance on admission procedures, represents a strong signal of the desire for change and reform on the part of Lega Pro, led by the vision of President Marani. The future of the league now depends on the effective implementation of these new rules.
