Italian football is facing more upheaval after Lega Calcio was split into Serie A and B yesterday.

Since 1946 the Lega Calcio represented all the clubs in the top two tiers, but the inability to decide on how the money would be split has seen the big sides break away.

"We have created the new Lega Serie A," announced Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini upon leaving the meeting in Rome.

"Am I satisfied? No, but it was necessary."

Only Lecce did not take part in the request to split from Serie B sides, but the 19-club vote was the majority needed for this radical step.

Maurizio Beretta has been named boss of the new Serie A - which effectively becomes Italy's version of the English Premier League.

"I am honoured to put myself at the service of the clubs to adopt a more European and international approach in a sector where we have the potential for extraordinary results," said Beretta.

"The mandate is clear, we will take the first steps to construct a Lega A and there are several details that need to be whittled down. The process will develop over the next 12 months."

The new league will come into being for the 2010/11 season and Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "We are starting work now so that this Lega A can be operational from July 1 2010.

"Next year there should be no particular problems because we have already agreed on the division of money within Serie A and between A and B. From 2010 there will be separate Lega entities for A, B and C."