Giovanni Malago, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has admitted he does not blame those out there who are already thinking about next season despite the fact the current season is yet to finish.
Serie A like almost every other league in the world is currently on hold due to the global Coronavirus pandemic and it remains completely unknown as to whether or not play will be able to resume.
It has been widely reported in the Italian media in the the past few days and weeks that there is a split amongst the 20 Serie A clubs when it comes to what they want to see happen with the currently suspended season.
Some clubs are all for play resuming when the conditions allow it to whilst others think the current season is done and preparations for next season should start being made.
“Will the season finish? I understand those who say it would be nice to play as soon as possible to finish the season but then I read the reasons of presidents who would prefer to think about next season and I feel I can not blame them,” he remarked in an interview with Milan based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport which appeared in today’s print edition.
“At the moment I don’t see it as easy for football to return, but I understand those who want to try. I am finding, however, that one after another other seasons elsewhere are stopping entirely.
“Could we resume playing on May 20? It’s a possibility but today nobody can know for sure what will happen.”
He was then asked if he thinks rules regarding betting should be modified to help mitigate the financial damage that the pandemic has caused.
“I have always been against these measures. We are the only country in the world with these prohibitions. Insisting with this prohibition is therapeutic obstinacy.”
