In a long interview with CNN, Inter president Steven Zhang has further reiterated his previous statements regarding public health being the main priority amid the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in Italy.

A number of Serie A matches have been postponed in the past two weeks and both Coppa Italia semi finals that were due to take place in the past few days were also postponed.

The Italian government also recently ordered that all sporting events must be played behind closed doors at least until April 3 in a bid to try and prevent the virus from spreading any further than it already has in the country with there being over 3000 confirmed cases.

“Public health is the most important thing. That’s why I think in order to make sure everyone is on the same page, everyone is taking the necessary action, protecting the ones around them,” Zhang began.

“Obviously with the fans in the stadium, the matches will be more exciting. It’s part of the experience of football. However, as we said many times, as a football organization, as a sport, or sport organization it will have big impact in society, its important that we always put safety and public health first.

“From experience, we must see China which is acting successfully reducing the crowds, reducing condensed areas, having less people moving in these areas will help the spreading of virus significantly.

“So in order to continue on the calendar, continue on the matches, but at the same time making sure safety is being touched by everybody in the country and society, I think this (behind closed doors) is a good solution for all of us.”

He then shared his belief that things will soon get better with regards to Coronavirus.

“I’m not an expert on the health and on the virus but what I believe is that as long as we are taking the necessary steps, precautions, as what we’ve learned again from what we are doing in the China office or a lot of companies are taking the actions in China, we see that the situation can be better.”

Zhang also touched upon the recently postponed Derby D’Italia between Juventus and Inter which was due to be played last weekend and will now be played this weekend instead.

“I think what happened before is not relevant anymore but at least with the help from the government, all the stakeholder are on the same page now. We are taking the right steps from today.

“For the public it is not a very good condition. I think overall it’s a difficult moment, a difficult situation for all the clubs, all the companies but as we see the improvements that they are trying to make and the recognition from the world health department (WHO), if we are taking the necessary step, sooner or later the situation will be improved.
“So I’m not too worried about it and at the same time I think its not necessary to have too much panic, as people are working and living everyday in the city around their families, they have to always look to do the necessary steps.”

Zhang concluded the interview by discussing the packed fixture schedule the Nerazzurri are facing between now and the end of the season.

“I think now by starting the game this weekend, eventually we can finish the season and I think these are not difficulties only we are facing.
“I think all the other clubs are having the same issues, but for sure step by step playing the games, week by week we can conquer the difficulties.
“When you are looking at sports events and league matches, especially those taking nine or 10 months or almost a year to finish, in the middle of it you never see or can never predict what can happen at the end — and that’s why sports are so exciting and fascinating for people.
“So even though there are some great moments, and even though maybe sometimes there are up and downs, we can only judge by end of the season.”