In Italy, negotiations are continuing to resume the drawing of the national football championship, but the process is not going as smoothly as clubs would like. The reason for their concern was the extension of the ban on team training. Initially, they planned to remove it on May 4, but later it was decided to postpone this step for another two weeks. Thus, athletes will be deprived of the opportunity to work together, and will receive permission exclusively for jogging in the parks to keep fit.
This was announced by the Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of Italy Vincenzo Spadafora. He said when athletes can return to the training process, as well as what conditions must be provided for this. The functionary also shared his opinion on the resumption of the championship and did not exclude that it could be completed ahead of schedule.
“We will resume training in team sports on May 18, but only if all the safety conditions are ensured over the next few weeks. I don’t want to somehow limit or slow down the return of football, but I’m forced to say “let's see,” since strict and clear rules are needed to ensure the safety of athletes, ”Football Italia quoted Spadafora as saying.
At the same time, he noted that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already provided a list of measures to ensure the safety of football players, but the scientific commission found them insufficient. As Spadafora noted, it will be possible to talk about the continuation of the rally only at the moment when this protocol is finally formed.
“There are many doubts, the situation is complicated. Nothing should be taken for granted, and there is no certainty that the season will resume. We need to earn this opportunity with the right approach, ”concluded Spadafora.
The Minister’s statement was displeasing on the part of the representatives of Serie A. Clubs expected the players to start joint classes on May 4, but instead they were forced to continue to prepare individually. In addition, there is no guarantee that the deadlines will not be shifted again, which will practically put an end to the prospects of ending the tournament.
It is not surprising that Spadafora reacted particularly harshly to the words in the Roman “Lazio”, which will become one of the main victims in the event of the early termination of the competition. After 26 rounds, the “Biancheloles” are one point behind the leading Juventus and retain the chances of winning the Scudetto for the first time in 20 years.
“This was a surprise for all of us, we respected every decision of the Italian government, but it was assumed that on May 4 everything would resume. It seems to us that we were placed in worse conditions. The Minister of Sports said he wanted to take care of people's health. However, after that it allows people to run in the parks among others, instead of allowing us to train in sports complexes with all safety measures, ”said club sports director Igley Tare.
In his opinion, this pause may contribute to the fact that the Italian championship will be completed ahead of schedule. Given the ambitions of the team, this clearly does not fit into his plans.
“The pause lasted for two months, and this is too long to count on the resumption of the season. I don’t know what its meaning is, but there is clearly no desire to help football. The Minister’s decisions are too radical and do not allow us to return to the game, ”Tare concluded.
The functionary was supported by other representatives of the Roman club. Midfielder Marco Parolo called on the Ministry of Sports to allow athletes to engage again in training facilities, albeit not in contact with teammates.
“Lazio has 5-6 training fields, and we can distance ourselves and avoid close contact. The measures that are now being considered concern the entire team, but at least individual training at our own facilities must be allowed. This new ruling is simply a punishment for us. Perhaps someone does not want the season to resume ... It turns out that people can run in the parks, and I can’t go for a run in Formello (at the club’s training base. - RT) ? All professional athletes should be in the same position, ”said Parolo.
The “bianco-charity” partners were also supported by defenders Francesco Acherbi and Patricio Gabarron Gil, who expressed bewilderment by the government’s decision. In their opinion, it is rather strange that athletes will be allowed to run in parks where they can catch an infection from other people.
The decision of the Italian Ministry of Sports was also commented on by other representatives of Serie A. The head coach of Roma Pablo Fonseca expressed satisfaction with the fact that the players would be allowed to start training on an individual program. At the same time, the president of Cagliari Tommaso Giulini said that in case of problems with the resumption of team training on May 18, the championship could be completed ahead of schedule.
The FIGC are more optimistic. President of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina said that the replay of the championship is not in jeopardy.
“We have always said that we want to resume (the championship rally) as soon as all conditions are met, and the perspectives proposed by the government will make it possible. We are confident in the chosen path, as we approach the matter seriously and responsibly. Only this approach meets the interests of the entire system and Italian sports, which, for many reasons, will also suffer serious damage in case of early termination of the season, ”said Gravina.