Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora said today that the government will cancel the current season of football competition if there is no agreement with the Italian Federation for the game on safety standards to prevent the spread of infection with the new Corona virus (Covid-19).
"The (governmental) scientific committee is meeting these days with the Italian Federation and the League, to discuss the health protocol presented," Spadafora said in comments to public television channel "Ray 3" today.
He added: "In the event of reaching an agreement, the training will resume, and this will have a positive impact on the prospects for the resumption of competitions, otherwise the government will decide to cancel the season, due to the global health emergency."
Spadafora talked about criticism from some of the Italian league clubs, as Lazio and Rome had expressed disappointment about the lack of resumption of training as of next Monday, which witnesses the easing of general restrictions imposed, and allowing athletes in individual games to resume training, while sports professionals are supposed to Teamwork, including football, wait at least 18 May, to resume training.
It should be noted that in the event of the cancellation of the Italian league season, whose competitions stopped 12 stages before the end, the expected losses will amount to more than 700 million euros (760.5 million dollars). Paolo Dal Pino, president of the Italian League, said he appreciated the words of Spadafora, and offered cooperation for the benefit of football and other sports.
"Of course, the Serie A is looking to resume playing. If this is possible while respecting health standards, this is good. Otherwise, we will follow the government’s decisions carefully, as we always do," added Dal Pino. He continued, "The Minister can trust our constructive spirit, which is what I totally agree with (Gabriele) Gravina, President of the Italian Federation."
The minister's comments came hours after the head of the Italian federation, Gravina, who said he would not personally sign the cancellation of the season.
Gravina added that along with the massive financial damage, the abolition would raise many legal issues, and this would result in controversial decisions about titles, ups and downs. "For everyone who wants to cancel. Let the government decide and impose it. And I will always abide by the rules," he added.