Italian League bosses say no date for return to action

Serie A bosses said on Friday that doubts remain over when football can return to Italy as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic. All sport in Italy is suspended until at least April 13 as a result of COVID-19, which has killed nearly 15,000 people in the country.

A meeting between top-flight Serie A and representatives of the Italian players’ union (AIC) took place by video conference on Friday to discuss a possible date for a return to action and potential player salary cuts.

No decision was reached on salary cuts while the league said competition would return when the country was ready.

“Serie A will consider the resumption of sporting activity when health conditions allow it following, as it has always done, government decrees and taking into primary consideration the protection of the health of the athletes and everyone involved,” Serie A said in a statement.

“Serie A, with club representatives, will continue to analyse the impact and consequences of COVID-19 in the coming days.”

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina has made it clear that his priority is the conclusion of the league, saying during the week that the current idea is “to start from May 20 or early June, to end in July”.

A dozen of Serie A players have tested positive for COVID-19 with Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, the first top-flight player to be diagnosed on March 11. Defending champions Juventus were one point clear of Lazio through 26 matches when the league was suspended.

The last Serie A match took place on March 9, with Sassuolo accounting for Brescia 3-0.

Italy’s World Cup winning coach Marcelo Lippi has previously said the Serie A should be finished, even if that means playing behind closed doors.

Lippi, who won the World Cup in 2006 and last coached the Chinese national team, says that next season should start later too in order to cater for the completion of this season.

‘I am of the opinion that the championships should end, even behind closed doors,’ Lippi told Radio Sportiva.

‘It does means that next season will have to start later. We are experiencing an absurd situation in Italy and in the world, everyone says it.’

Agencies