March 9 – Italy’s sports minister has accused Serie A of being “irresponsible” for ignoring his calls for matches to be permanently called off because of coronavirus.
Vincenzo Spadafora called on Sunday for an immediate suspension of the entire season due to Covid-19 that has killed over 230 people in Italy.
“The FIGC (Italian Football Federation) should consider immediately stopping Serie A,” Spadafora wrote in a statement on his Facebook page.
“It makes no sense right now, as we ask citizens to make enormous sacrifices to prevent the spread of the virus, to endanger the lives of players, referees, coaching staff and fans who will surely gather to watch the matches, by not temporarily suspending football.”
“The world of football feels immune to rules and sacrifices.”
Speaking to state broadcaster RAI, he added: “Today, games have been played because of an irresponsible act of the Serie A league and its president Paolo dal Pino.
Italy has borne the brunt in Europe of the epidemic that has spread to almost 100 countries. Last week the league was ordered to play matches behind closed doors until April 3 as part of broader measures imposed nationwide to limit crowds.
Italian Footballers’ Association president Damiano Tommasi tweeted on Sunday that “stopping football is the most useful thing for our country right now”.
“The teams to cheer are playing in our hospitals, in emergency rooms,” Tommasi wrote.
Spadafora’s comments came just before Sunday’s first Serie A match, Parma v SPAL – one of six previously postponed games played over the weekend – was pushed back for 75 minutes when the players were led back into the dressing rooms from the tunnel in farcical scenes.
More than 5,800 people have been diagnosed with the virus in Italy in the past two weeks.
“I think it is the duty of the FIGC President Gabriele Gravina to reflect again, without waiting for the first case of a Serie A player infected, before taking on this very serious responsibility,” Spadafora said. “Instead, the economic interests prevailed and demanded privileged treatment that is simply beyond reality.”
PSG to host Bayern behind closed doors
Paris police made the decision on Monday in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. PSG said it was “fully mobilised” to ensure the match will go ahead in the “best possible conditions” but the news will be a blow the French club’s hopes of overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit.
France has 1,116 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the World Health Organisation, with only China, South Korea, Italy and Iran having more.
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