It will be divided into two phases: the regular season, and the playoff phase.
The league should also be composed of 36 teams divided into two divisions of 18 teams each.
Teams finishing first in the regular season, plus one team winning the playoff round from each division will be promoted to Serie B; teams finishing last in the regular season, plus two relegation playoff losers from each division will be relegated to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione. In all, four teams will be promoted to Serie B, and six teams will be relegated to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione.
On 18 July 2011 the Federal Council excluded Atletico Roma and Ravenna.[2] Both clubs announced appeals to the Olympic Committee against the decision.[3]
The final composition of the rounds was announced 4 August 2011.[4] The five vacancies created were filled by the following teams, all of which were destined to play in Lega Pro Seconda Divisione for the 2011–12 season before the call-up:
Südtirol, which finished 17th in Prima Divisione 2010-11 - Girone A, originally relegated for losing in the playouts.
Ternana, which finished 15th in Prima Divisione 2010-11 - Girone A, originally relegated for losing in the playouts.
Pro Vercelli, which finished 3rd and lost in the playoff final in Seconda Divisione 2010-11 - Girone A
Prato, which finished 3rd and lost in the playoff final in Seconda Divisione 2010-11 - Girone B
Avellino, which finished 4th and lost in the playoff final in Seconda Divisione 2010-11 - Girone C
On 9 August 2011 Alessandria relegated to the last place by Italian national disciplinary committee for match fixing. Monza remained in the league in its place.[5]
Winter champions
The winter champions were Ternana in Group A and Siracusa in Group B.
^ abFoligno[9][10][11] and Foggia[10] were docked 4 points for financial irregularities.
^Como was docked 3 points: 1 point (originally 2 points, reduced by Federal Court of Justice) for administrative irregularities[10] and 2 point for financial irregularities.
^SPAL was docked 8 points for financial irregularities.[12]
Source: Lega-pro.com Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Siracusa did not appeal to the exclusion of Federal Council and was dissolved; an illegitimate phoenix club was refounded restarting from Terza Categoria.
^Siracusa[9][15] and Pergocrema[12] were docked 5 points for financial irregularities.
Source: [citation needed] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes:
^The Sport Judge had initially annulled the result of 0-1 of the match Bassano-Pergocrema for mistaken identity from the referee who has warned Guidetti instead Inacio that had to be expelled for a second yellow card. The Federal Court of Justice has restored instead the result of 0-1.
Play-offs
Promotion
Semifinals
First legs scheduled 20 May 2012; return legs scheduled 27 May 2012