Italian Serie A clubs have been given a date to resume training, they will be allowed to return to individual training on the 4th of May and then full club training on the 18th of May. This statement was made known by the Italian prime minister, he made it known that it will be the first step in lifting the country’s coronavirus lockdown.
Chances are that the Serie A fixtures could resume between 27th of May and 2nd of June with hopes of ending the season early August. However, there was no formal announcement on the possibility of the league resuming earlier than that date. Recently Inter Milan attacker Romelu Lukaku said recently that 23 out 25 players in their squad has coronavirus although he has however came out to apologize.
The league will be played behind closed doors whenever they resume, Parks will also be opened although Parks has the highest official death toll in Europe. Italy reported 260 new deaths on Sunday the lowest daily toll since 14 March.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a televised addressed that players would be able “to undertake training individually from 4 May, in groups from 18 May, and then we’ll evaluate if there are the conditions to allow the season to be completed”.
The prime minister also said: “Right now, we need to complete all the discussions to ensure that if we do reach that stage, we’ll do so in the utmost safety and security. We are passionate about sport and don’t want our athletes to get sick.”
“I’m passionate for football. Like many Italians, I initially found it strange that the championship could be interrupted or suspended but I think that even the most ardent fan understands that there wasn’t an alternative.”
Conte added that when “phase two” of the lockdown plan begins on 4 May with the easing of restrictions, social distancing of at least one meter must be maintained and this extends to two meters when exercising.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) hopes to begin testing players for the virus at the start of May to allow for a safe return to training and has already drawn up a medical protocol. Serie A side plans on testing all the players, technical staff, doctors and physiotherapists before every game and training.
They also have plans to donate five Coronavirus test kits for each kit used by clubs to avoid the criticism that football is taking away much-needed resources from other areas. Serie A was suspended on 9 March and a number of players tested positive for the virus. The league has insisted it is committed to finishing the season, and plans are that the Serie A side will end the league by August. There are 12 games to go with four outstanding fixtures, with Juventus topping with a point ahead of Lazio.
