Serie A set to lock out fans till 2021 over covid-19 pandemic

 

Serie A fans will be banned from matches until 2021 as the Italian Football Federation plans for a return to action in May following the coronavirus pandemic, according to Sport Mediaset.

Government documents reportedly show that, while action may resume in just over a month after the shutdown, crowds will not be allowed in stadiums until next year.

Fears persist the campaign, suspended since early March, may be scrapped entirely, but the hope is players can resume training next month with current plans including all 20 teams playing their final games in Rome.

Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina said: ‘As soon as the conditions are right, we’ll finish the championship.

‘Soon there will be a meeting. We will establish the procedure which we will then communicate.

‘We will start, I hope, at the beginning of May with tests to ensure that players are negative and training can follow.

‘Will we play through the summer? We don’t have a deadline but the idea is to finish the championships.

Meanwhile, Ligue 1 chiefs plan to restart the 2019-20 season on June 17, with a scheduled end to the campaign a month later on July 25.

French publication L’Equipe reported that clubs face playing every three days to ensure enough time for the relegation and promotion play-offs.

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That would also allow those clubs competing in Europe to wrap up the Champions League and Europa League competitions following a UEFA proposal to play ties during August.

The last matches in Ligue 1 were played on March 16