Italy’s Sporting Minister Spadafora: “I Hope The Serie A Resumes But The Final Decision Rests With The Government”

Italian government minister for sport and youth policies Vincenzo Spadafora has dismissed claims that he is against the idea of the 2019/20 Serie A season resuming and insisted that he wants the season to resume.

“The majority of Italians do not welcome the resumption of the championship. Football is important to this country and I know it well unlike those who want to pass on a different message,” he explained in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, which appeared in today’s print edition of the Milan based newspaper.

“I oppose the restart? It would be surreal for a sports minister to demonise football. I hope the season resumes but the government will decide.”

Spadafora proceeded to discuss training and was asked when the season, which has been on hold for just a few days shy of two months, could possibly start up again.

“Team training will resume from May 18 and as for when the season can start again we will rely on scientific elements which are not available today.

Spadafora, who has been in his current position since 2018, then went on to reveal that the Italian government are to invest a significant sum of money into the sporting sector to help out.

“There will be equal dignity with other sports and grassroots sports. There will soon be a definitive clarification on the protocol and in the event of another stop, my effort will be twofold to limit the economic damage to clubs and supporting the whole world of sport. Between ordinary and extraordinary resources, we will invest about €1 billion into sport as a whole.”

He was then asked about the ongoing issue in relation to promotions and relegation’s in football but insisted that it is not up to him what happens.

“That is a concern of FIGC and CONI. I hope to resume and not have to face problems. I want to end the season but for now we are unable to say when we can start again.”

He concluded the interview by adding: “On May 4 individual training resumed, from May 18 teams can train as a collective in compliance with the protocol and by the end of May it will be possible to say whether or not Serie A will resume.”