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Coronavirus forces fan ban at Italian football games
ROME, Feb 25, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Upcoming matches in Italian Serie A and the
Europa League will be played behind closed doors to combat the spread of
coronavirus, the Italian sports minister announced on Monday evening.
“Following the demands of the sports world and knowing that the ban on
sporting events open to the public remains in force in six regions of
northern Italy, we have agreed to the holding of matches behind closed
doors,” said Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora after a meeting of the
Council of Ministers.
Inter Milan themselves announced their Europa League match with Ludogorets
on Thursday would be played with no fans present.
“In agreement with UEFA, the Lombardy regional health authorities and Milan
city council, our return game with Ludogorets will be played behind closed
doors,” an Inter statement said.
The sports minister did not specify which Serie A matches at the weekend
would be included in the ban.
There are six games in the regions he mentioned, including the clash on
Sunday evening between leader Juventus and third-place Inter.
Italy reported its seventh death from the virus on Monday and it has the
most confirmed cases in Europe.
Eleven towns — 10 in Lombardy and one in neighbouring Veneto — are under
lockdown, with some 50,000 residents prohibited from leaving.
Napoli’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday is not at
risk.
The alternative to banning fans is to postpone games and Gabriele Gravina,
the president of the Italian Football League made clear earlier in the day
that he was opposed to thats.
“We have made an official request to Health Minister Roberto Speranza to
have this game played behind closed doors,” Gravina told the press. “We
expect a quick response, but we have been told that the outcome will be
positive.”
Other sports were also hit with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI)
confirming that in line with government instructions, all events in the
Lombardy and Veneto regions would be postponed.
Regional authorities have ordered gathering spots, such as bars,
restaurants, cinemas and discos to close.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0838 hrs