Next season’s Serie A may begin in foreign cities

Juventus lifting the Scudetto as Serie A champions. (Massimo Pinca/AP)

ROME — Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed a plan for the opening weekend in next season’s Serie A to feature matches in 10 different foreign cities.

Speaking to a local radio station, De Laurentiis says "we’re verifying the feasibility of the project, which aims to help Italian football recover from a rough period."

Adding that the idea was not his and that it would depend on the willingness of TV rights holder Sky, De Laurentiis says matches could be played in New York, London, Paris, Jakarta, Beijing and Shanghai.

Serie A has seen an exodus of top players in recent seasons as it is dragged down by fan violence, racism, declining attendance, old stadiums and financial problems.

The 2015-16 Serie A starts the weekend of Aug. 22-23.

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