Lega Serie A have clarified their position on the Coronavirus emergency in an official statement released on their website yesterday.
“The Lega Serie A, since the first day of emergency for the country, has always respected – in order to protect the supreme interest of health – all governmental indications received on the epidemiological management of the COVID-19 virus, even when they have manifested themselves in a wavering and contrasting way.”
The League then discussed what work they’ve done with doctors to ensure the safety of all those involved in the football world.
“To safeguard and protect the health of the athletes registered by the clubs and professionals, last week the Lega Serie A promptly brought together the doctors of the clubs, coordinated by Prof. Casasco, in a conference call to establish procedures and behaviors to maximally protect the health of all. Even today, the Lega Serie A has strictly adhered to what was determined by the decree issued this morning by the Prime Minister Conte, in conjunction with the emergency decree of the FIGC (official communiqué 173/A) which established that all matches in the territory must take place behind closed doors.”
The statement then detailed how the delay of the game between Parma and SPAL today wasn’t the fault of the League.
“The delay in the start of the Parma – Spal match must be attributed to the FIGC’s request for an urgent confrontation on the Italian Footballers’ Association’s requests. In contravention of the provisions contained in the Decree, which authorises professional Serie A TIM matches to be played behind closed doors, the AIC has requested, a few minutes before the start, the suspension of the league, fearing the strike of the players.”
Lega Serie A also highlighted how the request put the stability of the system at risk.
“A request that put at serious risk the stability of the system, already heavily penalized by the state of emergency, also threatening the payment of the players’ salaries. The Serie A League Council, which met at the time of the Tardini match’s start, considered it necessary to comply with the government guidelines set out in this morning’s decree, continuing with the games behind closed doors. The same considerations expressed here apply with regard to television rights, where Lega, Sky and Dazn complied with the provisions in force.”
Finally, the League criticised the statements released by the government and highlighted how it only increased the state of confusion.
“The repeated and conflicting government statements only contribute to increase the general state of confusion and certainly do not help the system to overcome the moment of difficulty generated by the Virus.”
Yesterday’s Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus was one of many games played behind closed doors last weekend, creating a tense atmosphere within the Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri still managed to come out on top, despite the lack of fans, winning the vital game 2-0.
