Bologna’s game against Inter could be called off for Thursday morning, as the local health authority warn it is ‘unlikely’ they’ll be allowed to play after a massive COVID-19 outbreak.
It is meant to kick off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 11.30 GMT.
However, Bologna have eight players who are currently testing positive for COVID-19, plus members of staff.
“It is unlikely that they’ll be able to play, we are going towards an order to stop competitive sport,” Bologna ASL director Paolo Bordon told La Repubblica’s online edition.
Salernitana, Udinese and Torino have already been ordered not to travel and placed under quarantine conditions due to outbreaks of COVID-19 within their squads.
Another team, Hellas Verona, have just as many cases and are not under orders to quarantine yet, having already travelled to La Spezia.
When it comes to those who have been given the all-clear anyway, such as Verona and Napoli, there are concerns here too.
Technically, the new Government decree means those who have received their second or third vaccine within the last 120 days don’t have to be in quarantine if they are in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
However, the rule states they can only leave their home wearing a FFP2 level mask. So will they have to wear those while playing football?
L’Ausl di Bologna: “Difficile si giochi la gara con l’Inter”. L’ultima parola spetta all’Asl ” #BolognaInter https://t.co/5aTuAwwEMd
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) January 5, 2022
Death by a thousand cuts.