Five games in the Serie A have been called off due to the threat posed by Coronavirus.
Serie A has confirmed that 5 games that were supposed to take place this weekend have been postponed because of the threat of Coronavirus. This included the much-awaited top of the table clash between Juventus and Inter Milan.
Inter currently sit 3rd, 6 points off 2nd placed Juventus with a game in hand. This could have been a very important game in the title race, which is currently a three-horse competition between the two aforementioned teams and leaders Lazio.
This is the second league game in a row that has been postponed for Antonio Conte’s men after their clash against Sampdoria was called off for the same reasons. Initially, the game against Juventus was supposed to be played behind closed doors so as to keep the danger to a bare minimum. However, due to increasing cases, the league has held back five kick-offs.
The other games that have been postponed are Udinese vs Fiorentina, Milan vs Genoa, Sassuolo vs Brescia and Parma vs SPAL. These fixtures have been rescheduled for May 13, and are expected to be played in the presence of fans.
The updated schedule of Matchday 26. ? ⚽ #SerieATIM #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/KoSgM1rmgK
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 29, 2020
Juventus, on Twitter, confirmed this saying, the measure had been taken “in compliance with the Urgent measures for the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency of COVID-19.”
Italy declared COVID-19 an emergency after the first two cases were announced late in January. However, at the time of writing there here have been 29 confirmed deaths, and 1000+ registered cases – the most in Europe.
Apart from this, Juventus also announced that they have officially suspended activities of their U-23 side after they faced off against 3rd division side Pianese, who have multiple players registered as patients.
Meanwhile, Lazio’s match went on according to the itinerary, and they cruised past Bologna in a 2-0 win. First half goals from Luiz Alberto and Joaquin Correa sealed the game for Ciro Immobile and co. as they went on top of the league, 2 points clear of the Bianconeri who will not play in gameweek 26.
The last time Lazio were top of the Serie A at this stage of the competition, in 2000, they went on to lift the trophy.
Italian sport has been facing major consequently of the epidemic, as the Six Nations rugby game between Italy and Ireland has also been delayed indefinitely.
