Brescia President Massimo Cellino has tested positive for COVID-19 and is more determined than ever to stop the season here. “I am not prepared to play anywhere.”
The former Cagliari and Leeds United patron confirmed he had been diagnosed with the coronavirus, along with his daughter, but it’s not clear when he was tested or how long he has known.
Brescia President Massimo Cellino has tested positive for COVID-19 and is more determined than ever to stop the season here. “I am not prepared to play anywhere.”
The former Cagliari and Leeds United patron confirmed he had been diagnosed with the coronavirus, along with his daughter, but it’s not clear when he was tested or how long he has known.
Cellino had already been very vocal in his refusal to complete the 2019-20 Serie A season, as Brescia is one of the epicentres of the pandemic in Italy.
“(Lega Serie A chief Luigi) De Siervo called and asked me if I was prepared to play on neutral turf,” Cellino explained in Tuttosport.
“I told him I am not prepared to play anywhere. The season has to end here, and we certainly cannot go beyond June 30. I hear talk of September or October, it’s madness.”
If Brescia refuse to take to the field, it’s possible they will have the 3-0 result given against them, leading to inevitable relegation.
“Never mind,” he shrugged.
Cellino told La Repubblica newspaper last night his theory of why Serie A clubs are so eager to get the campaign completed.
“There are €180m with the Lega Serie A destined for the teams that finish in the top 10. These bonuses have already been put into the balance sheet by the clubs. Now, if the season doesn’t end and Sky don’t pay the TV rights, what happens to the clubs who already spent that money?
“I ask the Presidents of the FIGC and CONI to take responsibility, because next year we risk having 10 bankrupt clubs in Serie A.”