Marotta hopes for compulsory COVID vaccine and ‘more clarity’

Inter director Beppe Marotta confirms Serie A has approved a new COVID protocol and hopes the vaccine booster for athletes becomes mandatory.

Marotta is Inter’s CEO and one of the counsellors of the Lega Serie A.

“Everyone’s target is to protect everyone’s health,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia before Bologna-Inter, one of the Serie A games that won’t be played today.

The Nerazzurri arrived at the Stadio Dall’Ara in the morning and warmed up before the kick-off which will never take place.

Watch: Inter warm up before game that won’t be played

“Lega Serie A has approved a new protocol and there will be an official statement soon. The situation is chaotic. Games have been postponed by local health authorities (ASL) who decided independently,” the Inter director continued.

“Teams like Verona are allowed to play despite having ten players positive for COVID, while other teams with fewer cases don’t play. Clarity is missing. The situation changes from province to province and from region to region and it’s all confusing.”

Udinese, Torino and Salernitana have also been ordered into quarantine so their games against Fiorentina, Atalanta and Venezia won’t be played today although their opponents will show up to the stadiums as Inter did this morning.

COVID chaos in Serie A: which games are cancelled and what happens today

“Bologna were ready to play and they had to accept the decision from ASL which was taken to protect everyone’s health, but clarity is missing,” Marotta continued.

“I would limit the ASL’s competence, otherwise we’ll always face similar situations in the future. It’s something that the Minister of Health must take charge of with our institutions.

“I hope the vaccine will become mandatory to lower the risks and similar situations in the future. Doctors say that with the booster, we can avoid serious damage from COVID.

“It should be mandatory for sportsmen because it would limit the risks of damage as well as quarantine periods.”

Could have Lega Serie A acted more quickly rather than waiting for all this chaos to unfold?

“Of course, we must be self-critical, but the fourth wave was quick. This situation has surprised us, not only the world of football but also the civil society. Cases have raised suddenly.”