Mancini: ‘Sport as important as school’

Italy coach Roberto Mancini hit back at Minister for Health Roberto Speranza over COVID-19 measures. ‘Everyone has a right to sport, just as much as school.’

The controversy over the Juventus-Napoli fixture, which was not played and is still sub judice, and intervention of local ASL health authorities sparked an angry response from Minister Speranza.

“We should focus our energy on essential matters. The priority are schools, not stadiums. We cannot run risks just to let thousands of people back into arenas.”

Italy coach Roberto Mancini hit back at Minister for Health Roberto Speranza over COVID-19 measures. ‘Everyone has a right to sport, just as much as school.’

The controversy over the Juventus-Napoli fixture, which was not played and is still sub judice, and intervention of local ASL health authorities sparked an angry response from Minister Speranza.

“We should focus our energy on essential matters. The priority are schools, not stadiums. We cannot run risks just to let thousands of people back into arenas.”

This irked Italy CT Mancini, who replied during today’s press conference.

“It’s important to think before speaking. Everyone has a right to sport, just as much as they do a right to school. It is an important part of society, just like education and work.

“Sport is practiced by millions of Italians. I remain in favour of partial reopening of stadiums, which is what many in Europe have already done. When we play in Poland, we’ll be greeted by circa 25,000 fans, and I am very happy about that.”