Rome (AFP)
Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned on Wednesday that it was "impossible to set a date" for a resumption of the Italian football championship as the country continues its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"We all hope that the championships can resume, at the same time it is impossible today to set a certain date," said Spadafora during questions to the Italian Parliament.
"We have to wait for data on the contagion curve over the next two weeks, as it is only two days since the country entered the phase of gradual deconfinement. Only then will the government be able to decide", he stressed.
Italian football has been shutdown since March 10 due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused more than 29,000 deaths in Italy.
Players have been allowed to resume individual training at team sports centers this week, but must wait until May 18 at the earliest to train in groups.
On Thursday, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) will meet with the government's technical scientific committee to discuss the medical protocol for group training.
"We hope that this hearing will give the green light to the collective training sessions, also knowing that football does not allow safe distances or the use of personal protective equipment," the minister added, adding that the pressure to resume football was "completely incomprehensible to millions of Italians worried about their health and their jobs".
"I remind you that for the moment the only precise dates are for the countries which have decided to stop the championships" he underlined.
France and the Netherlands have canceled their 2019-2020 seasons, while the Belgian government on Wednesday suspended all sports competitions until July 31, paving the way for a definitive cessation of its championship for this season.
The most advanced situation is in Germany, where the Bundesliga, whose clubs have already carried out thousands of tests, obtained the green light from the government on Wednesday for a resumption in mid-May.
The European Federations have until 25 May to inform UEFA whether their championship will resume, and if so, on what date and in what format.
© 2020 AFP