Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora has created even more confusion, insisting ‘Serie A could be confirmed if the contagion curve continues to drop, but we want to be sure the season can reach a conclusion too.’
The FIGC announced last night that all football competition in Italy was suspended until June 14, the day after the Lega Serie A had provisionally aimed to resume games.
Today, Minister for Sport Spadafora gave yet another version of the situation.
Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora has created even more confusion, insisting ‘Serie A could be confirmed if the contagion curve continues to drop, but we want to be sure the season can reach a conclusion too.’
The FIGC announced last night that all football competition in Italy was suspended until June 14, the day after the Lega Serie A had provisionally aimed to resume games.
Today, Minister for Sport Spadafora gave yet another version of the situation.
“We all hope the season can resume as soon as possible, but at the moment we have no certainties, as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte pointed out,” Spadafora told Italpress.
“If, as we hope, the contagion curve continues to fall, then it’ll be possible to confirm that date for the start of Serie A matches. However, we must get there gradually, moving with prudence and responsibility, as we have done so far, with the sacrifice of all Italians.”
The new version of the medical protocol is being considered by the Government’s CTS (technical scientific committee), with the sticking point as always what happens if a player tests positive.
The protocol put forward by clubs, medical staff and the Players’ Association would have the squad kept in a camp for 15 days, but be allowed to continue training during that period.
Only the individual who tested positive would be completely isolated in their room.
“If a player tests positive, I realise this is an issue for the sport, but it would also compromise the health of that individual and the people close to him,” continued Spadafora.
“This is why we are considering every possible solution given validity by the medics. The objective here is not just to get the Serie A season started again, but also to ensure it can reach a conclusion too.”
Football clubs are frustrated, especially as gyms, swimming pools and sports centres can reopen for the general public from May 25.
“We will one step at a time try to recapture a sense of normality, but we mustn’t lower our guard, because we are still not certain how the virus will evolve. This is why we chose to proceed gradually.
“When the data is more encouraging, we can adopt less stringent measures, or vice versa.”