The Italian Players’ Association (AIC) is “perplexed and surprised” by the Government’s “discriminatory and illogical” ban on training in centres from May 4, even though they can go running in a local park.
The Italian Players’ Association (AIC) is “perplexed and surprised” by the Government’s “discriminatory and illogical” ban on training in centres from May 4, even though they can go running in a local park.
Phase Two of the coronavirus pandemic response caught many by surprise, as it allowed general citizens to go running in open spaces from May 4 and athletes in individual sports such as tennis to return to full training, albeit maintaining social distancing guidelines.
However, those in team sports are banned from running in a training ground until May 18.
Now the Players’ Association has released a statement on the situation.
“The AIC is perplexed and surprised by the Government’s decision on resuming sport in Italy. We consider the idea discriminatory and illogical to let individual sporting disciplines enter training grounds, but not professional football – or other team sport – players to undergo individual training in the same way.
“This rule will, if anything, make the risk even greater rather than contain it!
“A professional athlete needs this phase of training after such a long stop in order to avoid injuries and be ready to start training in groups from May 18. We don’t see how running in a sports arena built for this purpose is less dangerous than running down the street.
“We hope the Government will quickly intervene to eliminate the evident distortions that derive from the application of the decree marked April 26.”
It is very likely there will be an adjustment to allow training with social distancing guidelines – two metres apart – in the same way that Spain have tonight announced their protocol for sport.
They have an identical schedule, which is training from May 4 on an individual level, training in small groups from May 18 and the aim of playing again by the start of June.