March 6 – Italian football is breaking with tradition and going down the English road of playing over Christmas and New Year.
Serie A is to stage two rounds of matches over the holiday period followed by the usual European-style winter break.
Also in line with the English Premier League, the Italian summer transfer window will close 24 hours before the start of the Serie A season so that everyone knows what their squads are in advance.
Until now, the window has closed at the beginning of September in most European countries, leading to widespread complaints that transfer speculation causes disruption and hits planning.
The changes were confirmed by Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and interim head of the Italian federation.
Malago said: “We will play December 22, 26 and 29 and then resume on January 20.”
The Spanish league is also reported to considering closing their transfer window early.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714082824labto1714082824ofdlr1714082824owedi1714082824sni@w1714082824ahsra1714082824w.wer1714082824dna1714082824