ROME, August 7 — In a move that reflects the growing financial challenges in modern football, a new five-year agreement between the Italian Footballers’ Association and Serie A has been unveiled — and it comes with a major shake-up for players in Italy’s top league.
Starting September 2, 2025, any player who signs a contract after this date will face a 25% pay cut if their team is relegated to Serie B. It’s a significant shift designed to relieve the financial burden on clubs that drop out of Serie A — a drop that often brings with it a huge loss in TV revenue and sponsorship deals.
This isn’t just about money — it’s about creating a more sustainable future for clubs, especially those teetering on the edge of the top flight. For the players, it’s a tough reality: performance on the pitch will now directly affect their paycheck, unless otherwise negotiated in their contract.
Importantly, this new rule won’t affect current contracts — those remain under existing terms. And for teams that manage a heroic return to Serie A? Good news: players’ salaries will bounce back to their original levels.
There’s another human side to this too. The deal introduces a minimum salary safeguard based on player age, ensuring that no one — regardless of a club’s fate — earns below a fair threshold. It’s a small but meaningful gesture that protects younger or less-established players during uncertain times.
As football continues to evolve in Italy, this deal marks a notable step towards financial realism — but also raises questions about how players and clubs will adapt to these new conditions.
