Despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases among players in Serie A and B, the medical experts working with the FIGC assure there’ll be no delay to the new season.
There was a brief gap between the end of the 2019-20 campaign and pre-season training for 2020-21, during which players and staff went on vacation.
They eased the strict anti-COVID-19 bubble and it proved just how pernicious the virus can be, as several clubs including Roma, Napoli, Torino, Fiorentina, Cagliari and even Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic had positive tests.
Despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases among players in Serie A and B, the medical experts working with the FIGC assure there’ll be no delay to the new season.
There was a brief gap between the end of the 2019-20 campaign and pre-season training for 2020-21, during which players and staff went on vacation.
They eased the strict anti-COVID-19 bubble and it proved just how pernicious the virus can be, as several clubs including Roma, Napoli, Torino, Fiorentina, Cagliari and even Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic had positive tests.
This raised fears the start of the Serie A season could be delayed, as the fixtures are due to be drawn up on September 1, with games kicking off on September 19.
“We mustn’t be too worried, but do keep an eye out,” Professor Enrico Castellacci – President of the Italian Football Medics’ Association – told Radio Punto Nuovo.
“Players have been travelling around on vacation, so it’s only normal we’re seeing a few more positive cases. Fortunately, pre-season training camps are starting up, so these lads will be locked down and have time to recuperate.
“I am moderately optimistic and don’t think the season can be at risk at this stage. We might have to revisit the medical protocol, because maintaining the current modus operandi for the entire campaign would be devastating, both physically and economically.”
It's worth noting that although the number of cases has increased lately in Italy, coinciding with the summer vacations, the vast majority have been asymptomatic.
This suggests the virus has been weakened, so is not necessarily as damaging as it was a few months ago.