New Season Beckons, But With Restrictive Age-Old Rules
The Controversial Age Policy As the 2023-2024 football season approaches, all eyes are on the changes and confirmations that the National Amateur League (LND) will introduce in the Serie D, Excellence, and Promotion championships. The official announcement 237, released on April 26, brought no surprises, keeping the overage player rules largely unchanged. However, the real surprise lies in the ongoing debate: the issue of the potential abolition of the overage player bond, theoretically scheduled for July 1, 2023, remains a complex mystery with little indication of how it will be handled.
Dynamics and Details of Overage Players In Serie D, teams will continue to field four overage players: specifically, at least one player born in 2003, two in 2004, and one in 2005, from start to finish of each match. In Excellence and Promotion, the rules will require the presence of at least one 2003 class and one 2004 class player, with the regions having the possibility to increase the number, but no more than three units. This practice, common in Piedmont and Lombardy, has shown both merits and defects.
Exceptions for the presence of four overage players are rarely granted, reflecting a conservative approach that has influenced several aspects of football culture at these levels.
Under 19s and the Future of Italian Football Turning to the Under 19 championships, the rules appear more flexible. Players must be born after January 1, 2005, and be at least 15 years old. Here, the use of up to three overage players is allowed, with age restrictions for two of them. This regulation also varies based on regional and provincial directives, directly influencing the potential and career of young talents.
Impact on New Generations and Football Economy The current overage player policy, with its rigid structure, has had consequences not only on individual player development but also on the macro economy of football. At least four or five generations of players have been sidelined, deemed “old” at just 22. This mindset has hampered the ability of Excellence teams to sell in Serie D and vice versa, breaking an investment chain and, perhaps more critically, depriving football of potential champions who could have emerged in subsequent years.
More experienced players, around 30, are often preferred for their maturity, causing a dangerous trend: young talents are relegated to fringe positions or, worse, cast aside. This phenomenon requires deep reflection, as generational renewal is vital for the dynamism and competitiveness of the sport.
A Call for Change In conclusion, as we approach the start of another exciting season, it is imperative for regulators and decision-makers to reconsider the current overage player policy. Revising these regulations could not only safeguard the future of young talents but also reinvigorate the grassroots football economy, creating a more resilient and dynamic system that benefits teams, players, and ultimately, the entire spectacle of Italian football.
