Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo cited illegal streaming and the lack of TV revenues as a reason for Italy's struggle to develop homegrown talent, as the Azzurri try to return to World Cup after 2014.

Italy, once a regular fixture at the World Cup and four-times champions, is in a dire situation after missing the last two editions. They are also at risk of missing a third one after losing their first qualifying match against Norway.

Italian authorities have recently increased their efforts to combat online piracy. This is costing broadcasters and sport leagues billions of Euros as they attempt to protect the value in their broadcast rights.

De Siervo, the Serie A team's president, said that TV rights are the main source of revenue. They lost revenues of 345.15 million euros last year.

De Siervo, speaking at a conference on fighting piracy, said: "Many wonder why our national football team is in such a bad situation. One reason is the loss of talent due to piratery."

"All of the money that we lose every year isn't invested in our youth teams or in the development of our young players. This is a major problem that has caused our national team many problems.

The old facilities don't allow clubs or the system to make high profits. This needs to change and this new law is a step in the right directions.

De Siervo warned that if Italy and Serie A continue to lose money, they could fall down the UEFA coefficient rankings.

He added, "We're already behind the Premier League in England and the Spanish LaLiga."

If we continue on this path, we will finish below the Germans. We will also be at the bottom (of the top five leagues in Europe) with the French." Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Christian Radnedge.

(source: Reuters)