Serie A Daily Report - 2026-09-26: Serie A joins European leagues demanding FIFA governance reform

Serie A joined the Premier League, Bundesliga and LaLiga in calling for fundamental FIFA governance reform on Friday. The four leagues demanded greater involvement for national associations, clubs, players and leagues in decisions affecting the international calendar, working conditions and competitions. They also called for stronger independent oversight and a clearer separation between FIFA’s regulatory and commercial functions. The joint position came as pressure continued to mount on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, following disputes over the international schedule and proposals involving the governing body’s competitions and commercial assets.

The leagues said FIFA decisions should be supported by objective data and independent assessments of their effects on players, clubs, supporters and domestic competitions. Their intervention reflected growing concern over calendar congestion, including the expansion of international tournaments and the Club World Cup. For Serie A, a greater voice in those decisions would give the Italian top flight a formal role in discussions that directly affect fixture planning and player workloads. The statement also called for stronger ethical and financial oversight, signalling a coordinated challenge from Europe’s leading domestic competitions rather than an isolated complaint from one league.

Juventus Women beat Napoli Women 3-1 in Biella on Saturday to begin their 2026-27 Serie A campaign with a victory. Napoli took the lead in the 16th minute through Mece, who had recently moved from Juventus, but the hosts equalised five minutes later when Andrea Staskova Redondo finished inside the box. Juventus then moved in front through Godo before Chiba completed the scoring, giving the Bianconere a two-goal margin in their opening fixture. The result provided a winning start despite Napoli having struck first.

Napoli’s early goal briefly unsettled Juventus, but the response was immediate and the home side continued to create opportunities from open play and set pieces. Redondo’s equaliser restored momentum before Godo and Chiba settled the contest with further goals. Beginning with a home win gives Juventus early points and a positive platform for the campaign, while Napoli will have to recover from surrendering their advantage. The meeting also carried an added connection through Mece, whose move from Juventus was followed by her scoring against her former club.

Roma have reportedly identified Giorgi Kvernadze as a potential winter transfer target after his strong start to the Serie A season. According to the reports, sporting director Tony D’Amico has already set his sights on the 23-year-old Georgian and is prepared to pursue a move to Trigoria in the next January window. Kvernadze had scored five goals across the league and Coppa Italia, including one against Como less than a week earlier. He arrived in Italy in 2024 from Kolkheti Poti for less than €1 million, while a future fee could be at least 20 times higher.

Roma would face competition for Kvernadze, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly joining an interest that also included Hull City. The player was described as a right-footed left-back who had attracted attention through his attacking output, although the reports also compared his profile with fellow Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Any move remains a reported possibility rather than a completed deal, and the suggested January timing means the player’s performances during the opening months of the season will remain central to the negotiations. Roma’s interest nevertheless indicates how quickly a productive Serie A start has increased his market value.

Juventus are reportedly preparing approaches for Mateo Kovacic, David Raum and Fikayo Tomori ahead of the 2027 summer market. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the three players could be available as free agents when their current contracts expire at the end of the season, making them potential targets for a club operating under financial pressure after missing out on Champions League qualification. Juventus have reportedly begun laying the groundwork early, following the strategy that helped them secure Jonathan David without a transfer fee.

Tomori would offer a familiar connection to Juventus sporting director Frederic Massara, who previously brought the defender to Milan from Chelsea. The report said Massara was keen on a reunion in Turin after Tomori had been pushed towards the edges of Milan’s project by Ruben Amorim before being welcomed back into the squad. Kovacic would provide experience from Manchester City, while Raum would add an option from RB Leipzig. The three names remain part of reported planning rather than confirmed negotiations, with their situations likely to develop over the season.

Roma reportedly refused requests from Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina to attend Lionel Messi’s final Argentina match on 6 October. The fixture is expected to serve as a farewell for Messi, who is set to retire from international football, with Argentina scheduled to face Bolivia at the Monumental. According to Sky Sport Italia, Tuttomercatoweb and Radio Mana Mana, Dybala and Molina wanted permission to attend the occasion, but Roma declined their requests. Both players have links to Argentina’s recent international teams and were described as former team-mates of Messi.

The decision underlined the difficulty clubs face when international commitments fall outside the normal release arrangements, particularly when a major national-team occasion conflicts with club duties. Dybala and Molina will therefore remain with Roma rather than joining the celebrations in Buenos Aires, according to the reports. Messi has won the World Cup and two Copa América titles, making the planned appearance a significant moment for Argentina. For Roma, retaining two players for their club programme took precedence over their attendance at the farewell event.