The supremo has voiced his opinion that the beautiful game is becoming outdated and steps must be taken across the board to increase interest
Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has stated his belief that football in its current incarnation is unsustainable and has called for UEFA and FIFA to make drastic changes or risk 'destroying' the game.
De Laurentiis, ever the outspoken character, feels that governing bodies are not moving with the times, airing his theory that football will become obsolete to younger generations if developments are not made.
Pointing to a lack of excitement in a number of matches, the Italian feels that revamping the length of games would go a long way to increasing engagement among fans.
“We are destroying football,” De Laurentiis told Le Parisien. “We must look to the future, because young people are all on video games. We are sinking right now.
“You will see that in eight years, children who have just been born will not care about football.
“Football is an important industry. Without the brakes put on by FIFA and UEFA, which go back to antiquity, it would have even more value.
“It's our fault, we are old idiots. There are boring games! Football matches are too long – you fall asleep.
“You have to play two 30-minute halves with a two or three minute break in the middle of each. If not, what is the coach for?”
In addition, the Partenopei chief also claims that European club football is due an overhaul, putting forward his own proposal that he says would involve only 20 teams and generate more income.
“We must change everything,” he went on. “Why doesn't Europe work? It should be a Europe of England, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
“If you make a championship of five nations instead of the Champions League, with the top four of each championship, that's 20 teams.
“We only have one match, without going back and forth – the draw would only indicate whether the match it at home or away.
“On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays you would play in this new competition. Saturday, Sunday and Monday would be for domestic championships.
“This new competition would bring in 10 billion euros.”
De Laurentiis' Napoli take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.