Italy’s Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora doubts that football can resume on May 3 and confirms plan to start “behind closed doors” in the event of a return.
The FIGC and the government are in constant contact regarding the suspended season, but the Minister of Sport has reiterated that Serie A must follow the “evolution” of the coronavirus pandemic.
Italy’s Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora doubts that football can resume on May 3 and confirms plan to start “behind closed doors” in the event of a return.
The FIGC and the government are in constant contact regarding the suspended season, but the Minister of Sport has reiterated that Serie A must follow the “evolution” of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The forecasts that made us think we could resume sports competitions in late April or May, have been too optimistic given the evolution of the health emergency,” he told Chi l’ha visto at Rai 3.
“I can say for certain that, if the resumption of sporting events will exist, it will certainly start again behind closed doors.
“It’s not possible to think otherwise, but I also have some doubts with respect to the date of May 3. Unfortunately, this medical emergency is constantly related to its evolution. We have to adapt our decisions very often to the epidemic.”
But the Minister of Sport has claimed that he will not have any say in how the FIGC decide to conclude the currently suspended 2019-20 season.
“The final choice will be down to the FIGC, but it’s unlikely that it will be able to resume in the beginning of May,” he added. “The Federation might decide to postpone the games until the late summer, I have read suggestions about July and August, but the situation is complicated.
“After all, the rest of the footballing world has given us some more time to understand the emergency and now I imagine it will move forward with the necessary caution.”