Italy call up player raised in Switzerland, Swiss federation demands financial compensation

Alessandro Romano, aged 20, has chosen to represent the Italian national team after spending his entire youth career with Switzerland, a decision that may result in a financial compensation to the Swiss Football Association.

According to 'Sky Sport Italia', the Swiss Football Association is studying the possibility of requesting the player or the relevant party to return part of the funds it spent on his development under the 'Footuro' program, which aims to support and develop young talents in the country.

Romano was born in 2006 in Switzerland to Italian parents, while his father previously played in the Canton of Ticino with the teams Locarno and Lugano. Alessandro began his football career at the academy of FC Winterthur, his hometown club, before moving at the age of 16 to the youth sector of Roma.

In January, Romano made his first appearance for AS Roma's first team in Serie A under coach Gian Piero Gasperini before moving on a six-month loan to Spezia in the second division, where he played 19 matches before the team was relegated to the third division.

Despite representing Switzerland at various age levels, Romano has decided to accept a call-up from the Italian national team led by Roberto Mancini, benefiting from his Italian roots. This move could open the door to a financial dispute between the Swiss Football Association and the parties associated with the player.