Udinese’s match with Salernitana in Serie A did not take place because the visitors refused to travel to Dacia Arena. Struggling Salernitana has had Covid-19 issues and had already stated they were forbidden from traveling from their area by local health authorities.
The opponent Udinese nevertheless announced their team news and warmed up for Tuesday’s match as normal at their home ground. The same situation occurred last season between Juventus and Napoli, and the game was forfeited with Juve given all three points but Napoli had to appeal and they eventually won the appeal and the match was replayed.
Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino said: “The league is right not to postpone the game. They must protect the regularity of the league season and a game must not be postponed because a player tests positive.” He also said: “We went to Rome to play Lazio with seven players and our coach out with Covid last season. And we won 3-1.”
Salernitana’s sporting director Angelo Fabiani on the other hand said they were following orders by not traveling for the game. He said: “It isn’t up to us, we paid for a plane journey and then spent more on a charter flight. But if the authorities ban you from going, what can we do?”