Uefa restrictions could shrink Côme’s Champions League roster

Côme faces an unexpected challenge ahead of its historic debut in the Champions League. Due to UEFA squad registration rules, the Serie A newcomer may only be allowed to list between 16 and 17 players on its match sheet. The limitation stems from Article 31 of UEFA’s regulations, which caps the number of non-locally trained players at 17, reserving eight spots exclusively for locally developed talent.

Why Côme’s ambitious recruitment plan is at risk

Cesc Fàbregas, the club’s head coach, had already flagged this issue in late July during a press conference. « The UEFA roster constraints directly impact our squad depth, » he explained. « Without a fully operational academy to meet UEFA’s local player requirements, we’re forced into a difficult position. Building homegrown talent is a long-term project—one that can’t be rushed in two or three seasons. » Ironically, Côme boasts the youngest average squad age in Serie A (26 years), yet now finds itself constrained by development infrastructure gaps.

Can Côme adjust its transfer strategy in time?

Despite an active summer transfer window that brought in five new faces, only one—Italian striker Mattia Liberali, signed from Catanzaro for €6 million—fits the locally trained criteria. Fàbregas and his technical staff are now reassessing their recruitment approach ahead of the transfer deadline. However, hope may lie closer to home. The club’s youth setup, particularly the U17 squad, has produced standout talent like midfielder Riccardo Cassano, who impressed during pre-season Serie A fixtures last year and could soon earn a senior team role.