Alessandro Romano faces 100,000 euro cost after switching to Italy

Alessandro Romano, a 20-year-old midfielder for Cagliari, faces a potential fine of approximately 100,000 euros following his decision to represent Italy instead of Switzerland at the senior international level.

Born in Winterthur to an Italian family, Romano played 34 matches for Switzerland's youth national teams, often serving as captain. He was a key participant in ‘Futuro’, a specialized development program by the Swiss Football Association that invests roughly 25,000 francs annually per player in individual coaching and training. Following FIFA's approval of his change in football nationality, Italy's manager Roberto Mancini called him to the national squad, where he has already made two appearances.

The Swiss Football Association may seek reimbursement for the funds invested in his development. Former Swiss captain and U-21 coach Alex Frei noted that while he understands the allure of the Italian national team, Romano must be aware of the risks involved in such a transition.