Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone believes that “either we all play, or nobody plays” in the aftermath of the Viola’s cancelled game against Udinese yesterday.
The Tuscans had went as far as to travel up to Udine for their game against the Zebrette yesterday, only to be told that the game wouldn’t go ahead mere hours before it was due to kick off.
Barone, speaking to the TV programme 90 minutes on Rai 2, believes that every game should have got the same treatment.
Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone believes that “either we all play, or nobody plays” in the aftermath of the Viola’s cancelled game against Udinese yesterday.
The Tuscans had went as far as to travel up to Udine for their game against the Zebrette yesterday, only to be told that the game wouldn’t go ahead mere hours before it was due to kick off.
Barone, speaking to the TV programme 90 minutes on Rai 2, believes that every game should have got the same treatment.
“I would like to specify that the health of the Italian people is more important, before any sport,” Barone told the broadcaster.
“We all must be united, and not just in Italy, but all over the world. I have family in the USA, my wife is here in Florence and must return to New York but at the moment it’s not possible.
“Fiorentina have respected all the rules. Leaving on Friday, I was in constant contact with the Lega and they assured me that it would be played behind closed doors.
“Obviously we went to Udine on Friday, got ready, and then on Saturday Daniele Prade and I, together with Giuseppe Commisso, left for Udine.
“From there, reading social media, we understood that there was a possibility that it would not be played.
“I called the Lega and they told me there was a meeting regarding a final decision, then at 12.20 they called to tell us that it wouldn’t be played.
“Either we all play, or nobody plays. I would say that nobody should play.”
Sampdoria’s game against Verona tomorrow will be held behind closed doors after it was announced by the President of the region of Liguria Giovanni Toti.
“This situation is not acceptable. Rocco Commisso has specified that the rules must be the same for everyone, whether you play in the Champions League, in the Europa League or in Serie A.
“Each of us in this league must follow the rules. The image we give in world football is that we are new here, and we want to bring Italian football back to the level that it was in the 1990s and early 2000s.
“But if we are talking continually about VAR, referees, matches that are played and not played… the components of football are the players and fans.
“I am waiting for an immediate meeting with the Lega. I don’t want to wait for Thursday or Friday. We haven’t received any news yet.”