Juventus president Andrea Agnelli is insistent that public health is the number one priority amid the Coronavirus outbreak despite the more than likely disruption the virus is going to cause to the remainder of the Serie A season.
Coronavirus has now spread to Italy after originating in Wuhan, China and it is understood that there are over 200 confirmed cases of the virus now, which means Italy is the third most affected nation behind China and South Korea.
Fears of the potential spread of the virus lead to Inter versus Sampdoria, Hellas Verona versus Cagliari, Torino versus Parma and Atalanta versus Atalanta all being postponed this past weekend and suggestions have been made that upcoming matches could be played behind closed doors.
This includes this coming weekend’s Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter at the Allianz Stadium.
“I believe that the priority for the system of the country must be the public health,” Agnelli, who has been the president of the Bianconeri club since 2012, remarked in an interview with Italian radio station Radio 24 earlier on today.
“Every decision must be taken to protect the public health. Interruption to sports is difficult because the schedule is already extremely clogged and it makes it difficult to reschedule a match. However, if it is decided it needs to be done, we will adapt.
“Organising a match like Juve-Inter in a different stadium is extremely complicated but the priority is the public health. Do remember that the legal decision in Piedmont lasts until Saturday, so as things stand today the fans will be at the Allianz Stadium.”
Agnelli also spoke on former Juventus manager Antonio Conte, who is now in charge of Inter.
“Conte is a Juventus symbol. He has won multiple Scudetti and the Champions League with the club. Conte is Juventus through and through from this point of view. We have a peaceful relationship with him, but we are professional.
“The fact he took on the challenge of bringing Inter back to the winners circle whilst rubbing heads with Steven Zhang, who is respect, fascinates me.”