Spadafora: 'Prudence unpopular, but necessary'

Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora warns resuming Serie A after the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be easy. “Being extremely prudent is unpopular, but it is our duty.”

The Government is expected to ease lockdown measures from May 4, including the opening up of training sessions in very small groups to allow for social distancing.

“I too am a fan who misses watching his team,” wrote Spadafora on Facebook.

“I was waiting for the Euros this summer with great enthusiasm, but that tournament was postponed, along with the Olympics, the Giro d’Italia and all sporting competitions in our country.

“It is enormously disappointing, within a far stronger and deeper pain for the awful tragedy that has struck the nation, Europe, the entire world.

“I can assure you that maintaining this approach of being extremely prudent is the most unpopular thing I could do, but we have the duty and the responsibility to make sure the whole country and world of sport can get through this emergency as soon as possible.”

Football is putting the pressure on to complete the campaign, but Spadafora is responsible for all sport in Italy.

“There are many rights to be protected, workers who are having financial difficulty and deserve the right consideration. I met with the FIGC today, but also 19 Presidents of various sporting disciplines who deserve attention too.

“I will do everything to ensure that in the upcoming Government decree, we include all the regulations that guarantee the world of sport and its workers the necessary support so that not one single club, federation or person has to lose their job.”