ROME (AP) – Italy’s 20 Serie A clubs agreed on Wednesday to set Saturday, June 13, as a possible date to resume the championship without the presence of the public in the stadiums.
The date depends on receiving the approval of the Italian government.
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“As for the resumption of sports activity has been established, keeping respect for government decisions and in accordance with health protocols to protect players and staff, June 13 is the established date for the resumption of the league” , indicated the governing body of the league in a statement after a virtual assembly of the clubs.
Earlier in the day, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora reported that training sessions could be resumed collectively from March 18, after a new security protocol was approved against the coronavirus pandemic. The teams had already returned to training last week, with individual sessions.
According to the protocol, the players and other team employees will be under meticulous observation and must undergo COVID-19 tests. If a person tests positive on a control, the entire club must be quarantined for two weeks.
If the positive occurs after the resumption of the tournament, this would imply that the last rivals of the affected team would also have to isolate themselves. This would make it impossible to continue the competition.
In an appearance before the Italian Senator, Spadafora said that the tournament will only resume “if the security measures and protocol are followed.”
Series A has been interrupted since March 9, when the government ordered national confinement.
The championship has 12 dates left to play, plus four games from the 25th date that were postponed. In addition, the Italian Cup is in the middle of its semifinals.
Juventus leads the standings with a point advantage over their Lazio guard.
Italy, in particular the northern Lombardy region, was one of the countries in Europe most affected by the outbreak.
