This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
Italy's Serie A clubs have set their sights on a June 13 return to competition, pending government approval, as the country continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 13, Lega Serie A announced that the championship would resume on June 13, provided the government gives the green light. This decision comes after a two-month suspension of sports activities in Italy, which began on March 9.
Italian teams returned to individual training on May 4, with group sessions set to resume on May 18 under strict conditions. However, there has been debate over the quarantine period after a positive test, with government scientists seeking a two-week isolation period for those who have been in contact with the infected person.
Italian football chiefs have pushed back the end of the season to August 2, allowing time for the latter stages of the Champions League and Europa League to be played later in the month. If football returns on June 13, it would leave room to play the Italian Cup semi-finals, second leg, and the final.
There are 12 league games left to play for most teams, with eight teams having 13 games remaining. Juventus, currently leading Serie A, one point ahead of Lazio, are targeting a ninth consecutive Scudetto.
Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has warned that the government will take a cautious approach, and competition will only resume when the safety of all is guaranteed. Spadafora pointed out that in Germany, the entire squad of second-tier Dynamo Dresden had been placed under quarantine and testing uncovered new coronavirus cases.
“Someone asked why a supermarket does not close if the cashier is positive while if a player is, the whole team is sent to quarantine,” Spadafora said. “Because in football it is not possible to keep a distance with players having to run and mark each other, which does not happen in the supermarket.”
