Rome (AFP)

The Italian football federation (FIGC) validated on Monday the principle of the organization of play-offs in the event of a new interruption of the championship, as well as the use of an algorithm to establish the classification in the event of final cessation.

"It’s football that won. We have always affirmed the need not to remain outside European football. We have shown consistency and unity. In case of stoppage, we have planned a new format with play-offs and play-outs ", explained FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, after a Federal Council organized in Rome.

Interrupted on March 9 by the advance of the epidemic of coronavirus, the championship of Italy must resume the weekend of June 20 with four matches late for the 25th day. Then there will be 12 full days to go.

If the championship were to be interrupted again for reasons related to the coronavirus, the Italian federation therefore decided to try to conclude it "according to a different format", that of "brief play-offs and play-outs".

Finally, in the event of a definitive end to the season before its end, the federation would use an algorithm to establish the classification.

This algorithm takes into account the number of points obtained at the end of the championship and incorporates "correction criteria" into it.

The two elements to be added are the product of the average of points obtained at home multiplied by the number of matches remaining to be played at home and that of the average of points taken away from home multiplied by the number of games still to be played at home. 'outside.

This algorithm would be used to establish the classification, the European places and define the relegated teams in Serie B. It cannot however be used to designate the champion club.

The scudetto will therefore only be awarded if the season comes to an end or if a team can no longer be mathematically caught up when the championship is finally stopped.

The Federal Council also announced the end of the first female division championship. Juventus were at the top of the table when the season ended, but the title will not be awarded.

© 2020 AFP