The current economic climate will force at least four third-tier Italian football clubs out of this year’s championship, the Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete has said.
Reuters reports that Treviso, Venezia, Pisa and Avellino were unable to give sufficient financial guarantees to take part this season.
“They will not enter next season. In these important places for our football, it is now crucial to find businessmen who can breathe new life into the clubs and keep finances balanced,” Abete said in an interview on Italian radio.
There are understood to be further clubs on the brink of pulling out of the third division, Lega Pro.
The clubs dropping out may continue life in amateur leagues, but they will leave dozens of professional players looking for a job.
