FIGC President Gabriele Gravina warns Italian stadiums are ‘not ready’ to open up beyond 50 per cent capacity for the Nations League matches.
Italy will face Spain in the semi-final on October 6, then on October 10 play either the Final or the match for third place, with all those fixtures hosted in the Peninsula.
It was hoped that the stadiums would be allowed to open up to at least 75 per cent capacity, by that stage, but Federation President Gravina confirmed that is ‘impossible.’
“We are not ready, regardless of what the decisions may be,” said Gravina in a press conference.
“I wish we had known this a month ago, so we could’ve been clearer with our communications. The clubs will also struggle in selling season tickets. I have already warned we cannot go beyond 50 per cent capacity in the Nations League.”
It was hoped that the Government and CTS (Technical Scientific Committee) would give the all-clear to 75 per cent starting from October 1, but that hasn’t happened yet.
“I do expect a move to 100 per cent fairly soon, but let’s not make that an indispensable reference point in our priorities, because some stadiums didn’t even sell out the 50 per cent capacity.”
This is also because several ultras groups, most notably Napoli, are boycotting the home games until they are allowed to gather without social distancing in the Curva section of arenas.
Napoli fans have been gathering outside the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to cheer on their team.
“There are some sectors of some fans that didn’t want to adhere to the 50 per cent rule, arguing it was all or nothing, but we hope that when it’s increased to 75 per cent they will be more inclined to enter.”
Fans who want to attend games in Italy must also wear masks and show the Green Pass, which is evidence of vaccination, recent recovery from COVID or a negative COVID test posted within the last 48 hours.
#Gravina: ‘Capienza stadi al 100% in tempi rapidi, ma in molti non si è arrivati al sold out nemmeno col 50%’ https://t.co/ny5BponBW5 pic.twitter.com/ghhyrBSEmm
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) September 30, 2021