ROME (ITALPRESS) – “I like the word peacemaker. I think peace is needed in Italian soccer.” These are the words of Ezio Simonelli, newly elected president of the A League, in an interview with La Repubblica. Regarding the controversy after his election, “In sports you fight fairly to win and then with equal loyalty and honesty you give honors to the winner. Here the fight was not very fair. I was ready to make a conciliatory speech, not to say ‘I will be the president of all,’ which is what those who then make someone president say. I say I will be a president who listens to the demands of all 20 companies, not just two or three. There will be times when interests will clash and mediations will have to be found.” Simonelli is ready for dialogue with the government: “At this stage there is a willingness of the government to listen to us. The issues to be presented are the restoration of the growth decree for sportsmen, which would reduce taxation on those coming from abroad. The possibility of sponsorship from betting companies. The fight against piracy, on which the League is already achieving many results. The appointment of a commissioner for the stadium problem, which I believe is on the radar of this government and the minister. Even in Milan Cortina, where I am in the supervisory body, I saw that the commissioner on the works was really useful. “On the issue of youth: “For businesses, investments have been made in research and development.Here, the nurseries for soccer are research and development. If it could be done, I would apply the growth decree to young players as well, with a tax break under a certain age. It would also be important for the national team, to try to have new Totti, Del Piero, Cannavaro: maybe clubs would bet on a young Italian instead of going to Portugal to get him.” “There is a very favorable astral alignment: I know and respect Minister Abodi. I have very good relations with the presidents of all components. With Figc President Gravina I have a commonality of thought and there is mutual esteem. I think it is the ideal time to march all together for the good of soccer.”
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(ITALPRESS).
