The Italian government minister for sport and youth policies Vincenzo Spadafora has sent an official letter to Gabriel Gravina, the president of the Italian football federation, requesting that games be shown on television for free in Italy over the next month.
A few days ago the Italian government ordered that all sporting events must take place behind closed doors at least until April 3 as they try to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, which has spread rapidly in the country, particularly in the north, in the past few weeks.
As a result around 40 Serie A matches will be played in empty stadiums and Spadafora has requested that games are made free to air so that fans who may have otherwise attended in person do not miss out on watching their favourite team play.
“Dear President, in the current phase of health emergency – from which the country will emerge, I am sure, stronger and more united than before – sport, like many other sectors of social and cultural life, is suffering inevitable consequences. The world of football, for the passion it arouses and the great relevance that distinguishes it, also in foreign projection, is certainly among the most exposed sectors.
“Having passed the initial comparison phase on the solutions aimed at better coping with the emergency and having clarified, net of understandable different sensitivities, the framework of the measures in force in the coming weeks, I consider it appropriate to underline the most authentic vocation of sport, and therefore of football, that is, to unite and allow everyone to enjoy an exciting show, without anxiety or fear.
“It is with this spirit that I ask you, in this delicate contingency, to check whether favourable conditions, respectful of the current legislation and of the agreements in force, can possibly allow the free television viewing of imminent football competitions which are expected to be held behind closed doors.
“This would constitute, I believe, a beautiful signal to all Italians, but also a way to limit the inconvenience associated with existing containment measures and, even, to actively cooperate in achieving their own goals. I trust in your impulse action and in the willingness of all the actors involved to want to compare and be protagonists of a great message to Italy and Europe.”
It now remains to be seen whether or not Spadafora’s plea will be met or not with a response from the relevant bodies expected soon.
