Serie A (women's football)

(Redirected from Serie A Femminile)

The Serie A (Italian pronunciation: [ˈsɛːrje ˈa][1]), also called Serie A Femminile eBay due to sponsorship by eBay, is the highest league of women's football in Italy. Established in 1968, it has been run by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) since the 2018–19 season, and currently features 10 teams.

Serie A
Founded1968; 56 years ago (1968)
CountryItaly
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toSerie B
Domestic cup(s)Coppa Italia
Supercoppa Italiana
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
Current championsRoma (2nd title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsTorres (7 titles)
WebsiteOfficial website
Current: 2024–25 Serie A

The most successful club in the league's history is Torres, who have won seven times. The current Serie A champions are Roma, who won their second consecutive title in 2023–24[2] after their 2022–23 triumph that ended a five-year series from Juventus who won each of the last five years before. As of the 2022–23 edition, the Serie A is ranked fifth in the UEFA women's coefficient, and the top two teams qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[3]

The Serie A became fully-professional from the 2022–23 season, removing the salary cap and allowing teams to pay their players a higher wage.[4] Women's footballers became the first female athletes in Italy to be fully professional.[5][6] The number of teams also decreased from 12 to 10.

History

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On 25 June 2020, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced that Serie A Femminile would achieve professional status by 2022. Previously, the team was recognized as "amateur athletes". Serie A Femminile traces its origins back to the 1960s. However, due to widespread disinterest, neglect, prejudice, and institutional barriers, the league struggled to gain a foothold, delaying the development of women's football in Italy for many years. A turning point came in the summer of 2019 when the Azzurre's impressive performance, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2019 Women's World Cup, captured the nation's heart. This sparked a movement towards the professionalization of women's football, championed by figures like Gravina|Gabriele Gravina, president of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC). Later that year, the Italian Senate passed an amendment to the 2020 Budget Law, paving the way for amateur athletes to turn professional.

After achieving professional status, salary increased for the players of Serie A Femminile. Previously, there was no standard salary. Previously, the maximum salary was capped at €30,658 gross per season (about $33,000 at the time). Players received additional stipends for travel, flat-rate reimbursements, and performance-related bonuses, though these could not exceed €61.97 per day for up to five days a week. Before the league's professionalization, there was no standardized salary structure. Now, players and staff are guaranteed a minimum annual salary of €26,000 (Sky Sport). Moreover, the 'maximum wage' cap has been removed, allowing teams the freedom to pay top players as they see fit. Beyond salary improvements, professionalization introduces additional benefits like pensions and healthcare. In the past, a serious injury could prematurely end a player's career, impacting their future prospects due to the lack of a safety net. Now, with access to medical treatment, pensions, and other support, players have greater security both during and after their football careers. Benefits also include maternity leave and eligibility for unemployment assistance. However, these new contracts pose potential risks for younger players. Their contracts are typically secure only if the team remains financially stable or does not decide to release them (Football Workshop). Therefore, young players must carefully consider their team choices to avoid being locked into unfavorable contracts.

Promoting equality in football

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One of the major steps the Italian Olympic Committee is taking to promote equality is encouraging the promotion of women in management roles. One of the ways they plan to do so is by increasing the number of women and girls that participate in sports, and finding more areas for women to become more involved. Furthermore, the Serie A Femminile teams are required to hire people that will ensure the promotion of equality by managing the “women’s sectors” of the clubs.

League format

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There are two phases per season. 10 teams face one another in a round-robin round-robin tournament during the first phase, with 18 total home and away matchdays. The top 5 teams qualify to the championship round (poule scudetto) and the bottom 5 teams compete in the relegation round, in phase two. Both groups of teams begin the second phase with points earned during the first phase. In the second phase, the teams within the group participate in another round-robin tournament, totaling 10 additional home and away matchdays, this time including two rest sessions per team. The season concludes with the end of the second phase, when the first ranked team in the championship round is considered the winner of Italy, as well as the first and second ranked teams qualify for the UEFA Women's Champion League. The last-ranked team in the relegation round is directly relegated to the Serie B, and the second-to-last ranked team in Serie A relegation round plays the second-ranked Serie B team to try to secure a place in the following Serie A season.

Clubs

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2023–24 season

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The following ten clubs are competing in the 2023–24 season.

Locations of the 2023–24 Serie A teams
Team Home city Stadium 2022–23 season
Como Como Stadio Ferruccio [it] (Seregno) 9th
Fiorentina Florence Stadio Gino Bozzi [it] 5th
Inter Milan Milan Suning Training Center in memory of Giacinto Facchetti 3rd
Juventus Turin Stadio Pozzo (Biella) 2nd
AC Milan Milan Centro Sportivo Vismara 4th
Napoli Naples Stadio comunale Giuseppe Piccolo Serie B, 1st
Pomigliano Pomigliano Stadio Ugo Gobbato 7th
Roma Rome Stadio Tre Fontane 1st
Sampdoria Genoa Campo sportivo Riccardo Garrone (Bogliasco) 10th
Sassuolo Sassuolo Stadio Enzo Ricci 6th

Champions

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Wins by year

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Below is a list of previous champions, including those belonging to several independent federations under which the Serie A title was contested before entering the FIGC. Since 1968 all championships were defined as "Serie A":

No. Season Champion
1 1968 (FICF) Genova
1968 (UISP) Bologna
2 1969 (FICF) ACF Roma
1969 (UISP) Bologna
3 1970 (FFIGC) Gommagomma
1970 (FICF) Real Torino
4 1971 (FFIGC) Piacenza
1971 (FICF) Real Juventus
5 1972 (FFIUAGC) Gamma 3 Padova
6 1973 (FFIUGC) Gamma 3 Padova
1973 (FICF) Milano
7 1974 (FFIUGC) Falchi Astro Montecatini
8 1975 (FIGCF) USF Milan
9 1976 (FIGCF) Valdobbiadene
10 1977 (FIGCF) Diadora Valdobbiadene
11 1978 (FIGCF) Jolly Catania
12 1979 (FIGCF) Lazio CF Lubiam
13 1980 (FIGCF) Lazio CF Lubiam
14 1981 (FIGCF) Alaska Lecce
15 1982 (FIGCF) Alaska Lecce
16 1983 (FIGCF) Alaska Lecce
No. Season Champion
17 1984 (FIGCF) Alaska Trani 80
18 1985 (FIGCF) Sanitas Trani 80
19 1985–86 (FIGCF) Despar Trani 80
20 1986–87 Lazio CF
21 1987–88 Lazio CF
22 1988–89 Giugliano
23 1989–90 Reggiana Refrattari Zambelli
24 1990–91 Reggiana Refrattari Zambelli
25 1991–92 Milan 82 Salvarani
26 1992–93 Reggiana Refrattari Zambelli
27 1993–94 Torres Fo.S.
28 1994–95 Agliana
29 1995–96 Verona Gunther
30 1996–97 Modena
31 1997–98 Modena
32 1998–99 ACF Milan
33 1999–2000 Torres Fo.S.
34 2000–01 Torres Fo.S.
35 2001–02 Ruco Line Lazio
36 2002–03 Foroni Verona
37 2003–04 Foroni Verona
No. Season Champion
38 2004–05 Bardolino Verona
39 2005–06 Fiammamonza
40 2006–07 Bardolino Verona
41 2007–08 Bardolino Verona
42 2008–09 Bardolino Verona
43 2009–10 Torres
44 2010–11 Torres
45 2011–12 Torres
46 2012–13 Torres
47 2013–14 Brescia
48 2014–15 AGSM Verona
49 2015–16 Brescia
50 2016–17 Fiorentina
51 2017–18 Juventus
52 2018–19 Juventus
53 2019–20 Juventus
54 2020–21 Juventus
55 2021–22 Juventus
56 2022–23 Roma
57 2023–24 Roma

Wins by club

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Club Wins Winning years
Torres 7 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
Lazio CF 5 1979, 1980, 1986–87, 1987–88, 2001–02
Verona Women 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2014–15
Juventus 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22
ACF Milan 4 1970 (FFIGC), 1973 (FICF), 1975, 1998–99
Alaska Lecce 3 1981, 1982, 1983
Trani 80 1984, 1985, 1985–86
Reggiana 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93
Bologna 2 1968 (UISP), 1969 (UISP)
Gamma 3 Padova 1972, 1973
Diadora Valdobbiadene 1976, 1977
Modena 1996–97, 1997–98
Foroni Verona 2002–03, 2003–04
Brescia 2013–14, 2015–16
Roma 2022–23, 2023–24
Genova 1 1968 (FICF)
Roma CF 1969 (FICF)
Real Torino 1970 (FICF)
Brevetti Gabbiani Piacenza 1971 (FFIGC)
Real Juventus 1971 (FICF)
Falchi Astro Montecatini 1974
Jolly Catania 1978
Campania G.B. Giugliano 1988–89
Milan 82 Salvarani 1991–92
Agliana 1994–95
Verona Gunther 1995–96
Fiammamonza 2005–06
Fiorentina 2016–17

Top scorers

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Season Player(s)[7] Nationality Club(s) Goals
1971 Elisabetta Vignotto   Italy Real Juventus 51
1972 Elisabetta Vignotto   Italy Gamma 3 Padova 56
1973 Elisabetta Vignotto   Italy Gamma 3 Padova 25
1974 Elisabetta Vignotto   Italy Gamma 3 Padova 24
1975 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Gamma 3 Padova 29
1976 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Valdobbiadene 28
1977 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Diadora Valdobbiadene 42
1978 Rose Reilly   Scotland Jolly Catania 32
1979 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Conegliano 29
1980 Elisabetta Vignotto   Italy Gorgonzola 29
1981 Rose Reilly   Scotland Alaska Gelati Lecce 31
1982 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Flase Cagliari 32
1983 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Alaska Gelati Lecce 31
1984 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Lazio 25
1985 Carolina Morace   Italy Lazio 27
1985–86 Lone Hansen   Denmark Despar Trani 80 26
1986–87 Susanne Augustesen   Denmark Despar Trani 80 34
1987–88 Carolina Morace   Italy Lazio 40
1988–89 Carolina Morace   Italy Lazio 26
1989–90 Carolina Morace   Italy Reggiana Refrattari Zambelli 38
1990–91 Carolina Morace   Italy Reggiana Refrattari Zambelli 29
1991–92 Carolina Morace   Italy Milan Salvarani 31
1992–93 Carolina Morace   Italy Milan Salvarani 33
1993–94 Carolina Morace   Italy Torres Fo.S. 33
1994–95 Carolina Morace   Italy Agliana 31
1995–96 Carolina Morace   Italy Verona Gunther 39
1996–97 Carolina Morace   Italy Modena 47
1997–98 Carolina Morace   Italy Modena 41
1998–99 Patrizia Panico   Italy Lazio 51
1999–2000 Patrizia Panico   Italy Ruco Line Lazio 41
2000–01 Patrizia Panico   Italy Ruco Line Lazio 41
2001–02 Patrizia Panico   Italy Ruco Line Lazio 47
2002–03 Chiara Gazzoli   Italy Foroni Verona 54
2003–04 Chiara Gazzoli   Italy Foroni Verona 34
2004–05 Valentina Boni
Patrizia Panico
  Italy
  Italy
Bardolino Verona
Torino
32
2005–06 Patrizia Panico   Italy Torino 24
2006–07 Patrizia Panico   Italy Bardolino Verona 21
2007–08 Patrizia Panico   Italy Bardolino Verona 27
2008–09 Patrizia Panico   Italy Bardolino Verona 23
2009–10 Paola Brumana   Italy Graphistudio Tavagnacco 24
2010–11 Patrizia Panico
Daniela Sabatino
  Italy
  Italy
Torres
Brescia
26
2011–12 Patrizia Panico   Italy Torres 29
2012–13 Patrizia Panico   Italy Torres 35
2013–14 Patrizia Panico   Italy Torres 43
2014–15 Patrizia Panico   Italy AGSM Verona 34
2015–16 Valentina Giacinti   Italy Mozzanica 32
2016–17 Lana Clelland   Scotland Tavagnacco 23
2017–18 Valentina Giacinti   Italy Brescia 21
2018–19 Valentina Giacinti   Italy AC Milan 21
2019–20 Cristiana Girelli   Italy Juventus 16
2020–21 Cristiana Girelli   Italy Juventus 22
2021–22 Daniela Sabatino   Italy Fiorentina 15
2022–23 Tabitha Chawinga   Malawi Inter Milan 23
2023–24 Evelyne Viens   Canada Roma 13

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Luciano Canepari. "serie". DiPI Online (in Italian). Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  2. ^ "How Roma's women turned the season from despair to a double". ESPN. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. ^ "UEFA ASSOCIATION COEFFICIENT RANKINGS : UEFA WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE : PLACES FOR THE 2022/23 SEASON". UEFA. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Serie A Femminile to go fully pro after Italian government ruling". SportsPro Media. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Serie A Femminile changes league and goes fully professional". Her Football Hub. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. ^ steph_ (25 June 2020). "Official: Serie A Femminile Will Become a Professional League in 2022". The AC Milan Offside. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  7. ^ Novello, Alberto; Di Maggio, Roberto. "Italy – List of Women's Topscorers". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
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