Fewer top-flight Serie A teams is not necessarily addition by subtraction

A 16-team domestic top-flight is a popular idea among some heavyweight clubs across Europe, but in many cases it would be a platform for plans at odds with the national interest, says Ian Hawkey.

Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Napoli president, is promoting an idea that would wave goodbye to four teams by contracting Serie A to a 16-team league.

Aurelio de Laurentiis, the president of Napoli, on Monday laid out his proposals for reforms to Serie A.

As expected, some veer towards the radical.

As Napoli have risen from the third tier to genuine title contenders under De Laurentiis over the last decade, their movie-producer boss has become a headline-making voice.

Among his recommendations are a top division reduced to 16 teams from the current 20.

While he has support from the more successful clubs for a reduction in the membership of Serie A, 18 is the more popular number.

Among clubs for whom relegation is a regular fear, clearly, there is strong resistance.

A leaner elite league, De Laurentiis argues, is in the national interest: Italy's players would be less fatigued for summer international tournaments.

For clubs competing in European competitions, there would be similar benefits.

Elsewhere in Europe, 16-team domestic top-flights is a popular idea among some heavyweight clubs, but in many cases it would be a platform for plans at odds with the national interest.

More free dates would mean more opportunity for lucrative friendlies and tours.

"We should aim for a 16-team Serie A now, not within 10 years," said De Laurentiis.

He doesn't expect that to happen.

Nor should it.

Tearing at the fabric and rituals of established football culture too suddenly alienates supporters. Winning them back can be very tough.

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