Financial problems force Parma-Udinese postponement

Financial problems at Parma has forced the postponement of Sunday's Serie A game with Udinese.

Parma have not paid wages to players or staff since the summer and new owner Giampietro Manenti has failed to make the minimum payments against debt due on 16 February.

With cash levels at the Stadio Ennio Tardini reportedly dipping below €40,000 this week, Parma were unable to fund matchday stewards for Sunday's game and therefore requested it be held behind closed doors.

Italy U17s win ahead of Euro Qualifiers

Italy Under-17s have beaten Austria 1-0 in a friendly in Fontanafredda today.

The Azzurrini hit the post twice in the first half before former Roma striker Gianluca Scamacca, who made a controversial move to PSV Eindhoven recently, found the net to score the winner after coming on as a substitute.

This is a second consecutive win this year following the excellent victory over Spain in Ibiza last month ahead of the Elite Qualifying Round for the UEFA European Under-17 Championships.

Tavecchio to lead reforms, Lotito dropped

The President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Carlo Tavecchio will be personally responsible for the reforms in Italian football.

The news follows Lazio President Claudio Lotito's disparaging remarks last week about small clubs gaining promotion to Serie A and declaring that league presidents "decide nothing", creating a storm in the Italian media.

Lotito, elected one of Serie A's Federal Councillor's on the FIGC board, was appointed to lead the discussions on reforms of the Italian football system by Tavecchio last year.