Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora warns ‘if there is no agreement on the safety protocol, the Government will announce the Serie A season is over. We will take that responsibility.’
The protocol submitted by the FIGC included isolating players in a training retreat, giving them regular COVID-19 swabs and blood tests, sanitising structures and limiting personnel in the stadium.
However, it was considered “insufficient” by the Government’s scientific committee set up to analyse return to work practices.
Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora warns ‘if there is no agreement on the safety protocol, the Government will announce the Serie A season is over. We will take that responsibility.’
The protocol submitted by the FIGC included isolating players in a training retreat, giving them regular COVID-19 swabs and blood tests, sanitising structures and limiting personnel in the stadium.
However, it was considered “insufficient” by the Government’s scientific committee set up to analyse return to work practices.
“This is the situation,” Spadafora told Rai 3 this morning. “If the protocol is agreed by all parties, training will resume and this will have a positive impact on possibly resuming the season.
“Vice versa, if there is no agreement on the safety protocol, the Government will decree – due to a public health emergency – that the season is over, even if it means creating the conditions to ensure the football world doesn’t suffer as many damages.
“Essentially, we will take on that responsibility.”
The statement comes after FIGC President Gabriele Gravina announced last night he would “never sign off on stopping the season, because that would be the death of football.”
The Government decree blocking a return to training in centres until May 18 infuriated clubs, coaches and even the Players’ Association, who argue it’s illogical that athletes can run in a local park from May 4, but not in a walled-off centre for another two weeks after that.
“In my view, we need to launch an appeal to the Lega Serie A to stop the controversy and clashes,” added Spadafora today.
“Football must be a symbol of joy, passion and sport, we should only be divided by cheering on our own teams.”
It's reported 18 out of 20 clubs are eager to resume the season, with only Brescia and Torino against it.