Owner of Italian champions SSC Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has proposed sweeping changes to the rules of football, warning that the sport risks losing relevance among younger generations if reforms are not introduced.
De Laurentiis, 76, voiced his concerns in a recent interview, arguing that modern football must evolve to remain entertaining and competitive in an era of shrinking attention spans and increasing competition from other forms of entertainment. His comments come at a time when Napoli, winners of the Serie A title in the 2022–23 season after a 33-year wait, are set to finish the current campaign without silverware.
The club currently sits second in the league table, trailing leaders Inter Milan by nine points with six games remaining. Napoli have also exited both the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions League, adding to a disappointing season compared to their recent title-winning success.
Amid these concerns, De Laurentiis outlined a series of bold proposals aimed at revitalizing the sport and making it more appealing, particularly to younger audiences.
One of his most striking suggestions is a drastic reduction in match duration. He proposed cutting games from the traditional 90 minutes to 50 minutes, divided into two halves of 25 minutes each. Unlike the current format, his model would prioritize active playing time rather than relying on added stoppage time at the end of each half.
“No 1: I will reduce from 45 minutes each (half) to 25 minutes,” he said, emphasizing the need for a faster-paced and more engaging game. He also criticized players for time-wasting tactics, particularly those who remain on the ground to delay play. According to him, such behavior should result in immediate removal from the field.
In another major departure from existing rules, De Laurentiis suggested eliminating the use of yellow and red cards altogether. Instead, he proposed adopting a system similar to rugby’s sin-bin approach, where players are temporarily sent off the pitch for infractions.
Under his plan, a player committing a lesser offence would be removed from play for five minutes, replacing the current yellow card system. More serious offences would result in a 20-minute dismissal, effectively taking the place of a red card.
“I will never use a red card and a yellow card,” he said. “I would say ‘YOU – get out for five minutes!’ and ‘YOU – get out for 20 minutes!’”
His third proposal focuses on changing the offside rule, which he believes currently limits attacking play and reduces the number of goals scored. De Laurentiis argued that the existing interpretation of offside, often decided by marginal distances, discourages offensive creativity and excitement.
He called for a more lenient application of the rule, allowing forwards greater freedom and reducing the likelihood of goals being disallowed for minimal infringements.
“Too few goals! So it is not spectacular,” he said. “You cannot cancel a goal just for a few millimetres… the offside must be changed, a lot.”
The Napoli owner stressed that these reforms are necessary to secure the future of football, warning that failure to adapt could lead to declining interest in the sport. He pointed to younger generations as the key to football’s survival, urging stakeholders to prioritize their preferences and viewing habits.
“The new generation is our gold. If we don’t please them, we will die,” he said. “You will not have the same participation as you had in the last 100 years.”
While his proposals are unlikely to be implemented in the immediate future, they have sparked debate within the football community about how the sport can evolve to meet changing audience expectations. Critics argue that such drastic changes could alter the fundamental nature of the game, while supporters believe innovation is necessary to maintain its global appeal.
For now, De Laurentiis’ comments add to ongoing discussions about potential reforms in football, as governing bodies and stakeholders continue to explore ways to modernize the sport without compromising its traditions.
