Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora is again pouring cold water over Serie A enthusiasm for resuming the season. ‘News of infected players does not bode well.’
Most of the top flight squads returned to individual training this week in Italy, while the Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health Sandra Zampa said they are “moving towards a solution for full group training and, if after May 18 the pandemic continues a downward trend, can evaluate reopening the tournament.”
Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora is again pouring cold water over Serie A enthusiasm for resuming the season. ‘News of infected players does not bode well.’
Most of the top flight squads returned to individual training this week in Italy, while the Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health Sandra Zampa said they are “moving towards a solution for full group training and, if after May 18 the pandemic continues a downward trend, can evaluate reopening the tournament.”
Blanket testing has been performed on all players and staff before they can set foot back into the training grounds and these have found several positive cases for COVID-19 at Torino, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and reportedly Milan.
“The news of infected players over the last few days does not bode well,” Minister for Sport Spadafora told SeilaTV Bergamo.
“Until we know what the evolution of the health crisis is, we cannot give a certain response. The key word, including after the recent meeting with the scientific committee to discuss the protocol is ‘prudence.’ Obviously, what happened over the last 24 hours certainly does not help.”
It had been reported by numerous sources today that the Government would announce an all-clear for group training from May 18, but Spadafora is again pouring cold water over enthusiasm.
“Next week, before May 18, we’ll be able to analyse the curve and statistics following the easing of lockdown measures. The scientific committee will soon deliver its verdict on the FIGC medical protocol.
“We’ll then discover if the issues they had with the protocol have been resolved or if unfortunately they remain a problem. These two things together will allow us to make a decision.
“I want to make clear that this is an opportunity for football and all of sport to regenerate and reconsider their list of priorities and lifestyle. Anyone who is kidding themselves that we can just get straight back to normal has clearly not understood the gravity of the global situation.
“I will do everything I can to ensure this becomes a chance to reform football and sport.”