The 2008-09 season will see Serie C1 and Serie C2 being re-named "Lega Pro Division 1" and "Lega Pro Division 2" respectively.The rebranding, however, does not affect the structure of the third and fourth tiers as the Pro Lega 1 will still consist of two groups of 18 teams, and the Pro Lega 2 will be unchanged with three groups of 18 teams.
In announcing the new titles President of the governing council, which is renamed as the Lega Italiana Calcio Professionistico (Lega Pro), Mario Macalli said: "We decided to change the name because the current 'Serie C' has too often been devalued more than its true value.
"We want to give due importance to this category which, on the contrary, is to be considered equal, if not superior to other leagues," Macalli added.
Promotion, relegation, play-off and play-out rules remain the same as the former Serie C1 and C2.
The other important change agreed at the assembly, regards the composition of the squads for each of the 90 clubs for the 2008-09 season. Each club has a limit of naming only 18 players of all ages above 21 and the rest by players born after 1987. This rule is to help promote the use of younger players throughout the season.
Meanwhile, the inauguration of new headquarters of the Pro Lega in Florence will take place on July 30, almost 25 years after the death of the founder of the League, Artemio Franchi.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, along with the senior management of Italian football, will be at the ceremony which includes a friendly between Fiorentina and Barcelona in memory of Franchi.
PRO LEGA 2008-09
Pro Lega 1: Girone A (18 clubs)
- Two teams are promoted to Serie B at the end of the season. The champions go up automatically, while the four teams below them (2nd to 5th) will take part in the play-off tournament for the final spot.
- Three teams are relegated to Pro Lega 2 at the end of the season. The bottom team go down automatically, while the four clubs above them (14th to 17th) will take part in the relegation play-outs for the remaining two relegation spots.
Pro Lega 1: Girone B (18 clubs)
- Two teams are promoted to Serie B at the end of the season. The champions go up automatically, while the four teams below them (2nd to 5th) will take part in the play-off tournament for the final spot.
- Three teams are relegated to Pro Lega 2 at the end of the season. The bottom team go down automatically, while the four clubs above them (14th to 17th) will take part in the relegation play-outs for the remaining two relegation spots.
Pro Lega 2: Girone A (18 clubs)
- Two teams are promoted to Pro Lega 1 at the end of the season. The champions go up automatically, while the four teams below them (2nd to 5th) will take part in the play-off tournament for the final spot.
- Three teams are relegated to Serie D at the end of the season. The bottom team go down automatically, while the four clubs above them (14th to 17th) will take part in the relegation play-outs for the remaining two relegation spots.
Pro Lega 2: Girone B (18 clubs)
- Two teams are promoted to Pro Lega 1 at the end of the season. The champions go up automatically, while the four teams below them (2nd to 5th) will take part in the play-off tournament for the final spot.
- Three teams are relegated to Serie D at the end of the season. The bottom team go down automatically, while the four clubs above them (14th to 17th) will take part in the relegation play-outs for the remaining two relegation spots.
Pro Lega 2: Girone C (18 clubs)
- Two teams are promoted to Pro Lega 1 at the end of the season. The champions go up automatically, while the four teams below them (2nd to 5th) will take part in the play-off tournament for the final spot.
- Three teams are relegated to Serie D at the end of the season. The bottom team go down automatically, while the four clubs above them (14th to 17th) will take part in the relegation play-outs for the remaining two relegation spots.
Source: Lega Pro
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