Inter could never be excluded from Serie A because the league would be pointless without them or AC Milan and Juventus, former Udinese striker Toto Di Natale has argued.

The Nerazzurri were briefly thought to be at risk of being kicked out of Italy’s top flight this week, after they announced their involvement in the ill-fated European Super League project.

Inter, AC Milan and Juventus are responsible for around 60% of Serie A’s total revenue, according to a report this week, meaning it would therefore be unthinkable to continue the league without them around.

“I’m absolutely against the idea of a Super League and I’m happy it was only talked about for a couple of days,” Di Natale, who scored 227 goals in a 12-year spell at Udinese, told TuttoMercatoWeb.

“It was an intelligent move to take a step back because it would have killed football, along with all the dreams of players, older and younger, as well as the fans.

“What’s more, Serie A wouldn’t even have sense without Inter, AC Milan and Juventus.”

Inter are unlikely to face sanctions from UEFA for their involvement in the Super League project, although UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has warned all 12 clubs to ‘never try that stupid idea’ again.

The Nerazzurri are reportedly set for another summer of austerity in the transfer market without the revenue from the franchise, which could force the club to sell off one or two key players.