Serie A: "The debate is open on the number of teams" (Maurizio Beretta, Lega di Serie A)

"The debate on the number of teams in Serie A is open and we need to study the issue. One should never say never. We study different possibilities and we will find a solution that makes logical sense. There is no doubt that we need to improve the product and give it greater financial stability," said Maurizio Beretta, president of the Lega di Serie A (the national professional league that manages the Italian first division), on 19/05/2014.

"The championship with 20 teams, and I'm talking about this year, is something that I always find positive. With three matchdays left to go, nothing had yet been decided for spots in the Champions League, Europa League and those struggling to not be relegated. Our product inspires great interest, and at the international level as well, where it is growing," said Beretta, speaking to Italian public broadcaster RAI.

Serie A has had 20 clubs since the 2004-05 season. It had either 18 or 16 clubs from 1952 to 2004.

An aggregate debt of €2.947bn at the end of the 2012-13 season

• The aggregate debt of the 20 Italian Serie A clubs has continued to grow…