The Government will have to make a decision on the medical protocol and letting Serie A resume, as the scientific committee is still not convinced by the changes.
The first version of the protocol had been rejected by the Government’s scientific committee, as it was considered ‘insufficient’ to ensure safety after the coronavirus pandemic.
Adjustments were made and players returned to training with social distancing guidelines this week.
The Government will have to make a decision on the medical protocol and letting Serie A resume, as the scientific committee is still not convinced by the changes.
The first version of the protocol had been rejected by the Government’s scientific committee, as it was considered ‘insufficient’ to ensure safety after the coronavirus pandemic.
Adjustments were made and players returned to training with social distancing guidelines this week.
However, a protocol has to be agreed before deciding whether the season will resume at all.
They cannot train in groups or with contact until the protocol has been passed.
According to multiple reports, today’s meeting lasted 90 minutes and there are still some sticking points the scientific committee is concerned about.
These are primarily ensuring there are sufficient swabs to test players and staff without taking any away from the general population, and also what to do if a player tests positive.
The clubs want to just isolate the player, whereas the scientists would prefer to quarantine the entire squad and staff.
There is also the matter of insurance, as contracting COVID-19 while training or playing would be treated the same way as a sports injury.
The scientific committee will now write up a report and present it to Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora, so he’ll have to decide whether the issues are so crucial that he cannot allow the Serie A and B seasons to resume.
Serie A was shut down after March 10 due to the COVID-19 crisis, swiftly followed by most sporting events all over the world.
The Bundesliga today announced it would be resuming its fixtures from May 16, with an aim to conclude by June 27.
Today, the Lega Serie C decided to shut down its 2019-20 season early, as most of the clubs would not be able to sustain the extra cost of following the protocol.