The big five Serie A clubs staged a walk-out after Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli lost the Lega Calcio vote to Parma president Tomasso Ghirardi

The top clubs were all united as they sought representation on the Lega Calcio board - a place was up for grabs alongside Torino’s Urbano Cairo, Lazio’s Claudio Lotito, Giampaolo Pozzo of Udinese, Livorno President Aldo Spinelli and Atalanta’s Ivan Ruggeri.

However, Gigli lost out to Ghirardi, 11-8, and a furious Adriano Galliani declared: "We are seeking legal advice."

Milan, Inter, Juventus, Roma and Napoli walked out soon after the results were declared, upset that they would have no say in the decisions of the comittee.

One particular point of contention is the issue of pay-per-view television rights, awarded by this committe. The top clubs obviously generate the majority of the income, but are now left with no say in the matter.

"With this failed election of Cobolli Gigli, there are no representatives of the five big clubs in the council," continued Galliani, "Rosella Sensi is the vice-President and without a vote, and Massimo Moratti and myself, as Federation counsellors, have no vote either."

"We believe this council does not represent all of Serie A, as 16 per cent of the fans support 15 clubs, but the 84 per cent of supporters are behind five, who will always lose a vote now, as we are in the minority. That is why we left.

"We certainly won’t sit here impotently," thundered the Milan vice-president. "Even if we have to change some things, we’ll still be in the minority and can’t get a vote.

"We have already considered a course of action, but the lawyers suggested we keep it to ourselves for the moment."

Said Gigli after the results were revealed: "It is a shame, as I believe the side with the most fans should be able to give its contribution in a time where there are so many important decisions to be made."

I think R7 is right though: eventually the big teams will get their way.