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Agnelli: Italian football needs drastic reform

Although Italy were runners-up to Spain in Euro 2012 this year, clubs have struggled in Europe in the last two seasons as top talent has drained away from a Serie A characterised by scandals, dilapidated stadiums and a lack of investment.

"We have to ask ourselves what Italian football will be like in a few years' time," Agnelli told the club's shareholders at a meeting in Turin.

"Many nations have experienced a decline but none have had such a sudden collapse. We are seeing a complete structural collapse and it can't just be explained away as being part of the financial crisis.

"Football is evolving and it won't wait for Italy. That is a fatal presumption."

"Club presidents, the media and general observers ask us if we support this or that candidate to lead Serie A or the Football Federation (FIGC)," Agnelli continued.

"Unfortunately, no one asks what needs to be done to fulfil these two important roles.

"Who does Juve support? We support a structural reform of professional football... those who don't condemn Italy to being marginalised in Europe and the world.

"Reform of the league, the number of professional clubs and the youth sector. Reform of the status of professional sports, currently governed by a law from 1981 - trademark protection, stadium regulations.

"Comprehensive reform of sporting justice, which cannot deal with investments worth millions of euros as though they were a dispute in a local sports club."

Giving his backing to UEFA's Financial Fair Play programme which demands that clubs live within their means, he said: "Our first objective was to change the club and the team.

"In two years we have forged ahead but winning the title means we must not forget our mandate, which is to win while maintaining a balanced financial position in order to give ourselves prospects for the future.

"Juventus have always promoted the principle of change in the world of footba