ROME – Condemned by the coronavirus pandemic to another
weekend, the sixth, without football, Italy's fans await ministerial
decisions about the restart of a Serie A season that was interrupted
in early March with 12 games to go.
Health minister Roberto Speranza and his colleague Vincenzo
Spadafora, who runs the sport ministry, were to receive on Saturday
the sanitary protocol that the Italian football federation (FIGC)
prepared this week.
The document envisions the reopening of training camps on May 4, with
matches to begin three or four weeks later, without fans in the
stands.
Italy is in lockdown until May 3, with the government due to take
further measures, which could include an extension, depending on the
development of the crisis.
Casualties, meanwhile, totalled 22,745, most of them in northern
Italy, as of late Friday.
FIGC's protocol reportedly mandates rigorous medical tests on
footballers, who are either to reside at the camp or be shuttled on
sanitized buses from nearby hotels.
"Between late May and June it is possible to restart," FIGC boss
Gabriele Gravina told the public broadcaster Radio 1. "I hope all
teams can play in the stadiums, also in the north, otherwise we will
find other solutions."
Walter Ricciardi, an official of the World health organization who
has been advising the Italian government, said that the varying
impact of the virus should be considered.
"We are proposing to play games in (Italy's) centre and south," he
told Radio Punto Nuovo. "In early May we'll be able to give
suggestions, looking at the situation.
"But you have different kinds of clubs. Not all of them can afford
tests and room for everyone. This is a massive financial effort."
It is believed that the 20 Serie A clubs, should have no financial
issues, which, however, could be felt at the two lower professional
divisions and even more in amateur leagues.
The FIGC, meanwhile, announced Thursday the cancellation of its 15
leagues involving male and female teenagers in all its youth
competitions. Rugby, basketball and volleyball had earlier annulled
their seasons.