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Serie A

Coronavirus: Players want at least four weeks of training before return – AIC

Clubs have been cleared to start team training amid the coronavirus pandemic, although Serie A is not expected to return until at least June 15, with the campaign having been suspended in March.

There is expected to be further detail on May 28, when it is set to be known when and if the season will restart.

Tommasi said players wanted at least four weeks of training before returning to action.

"At least four weeks of training to avoid injuries, although some speak of six," he told RAI on Tuesday.

"Prudence comes first because at this point you need real certainties from a medical and health point of view. Footballers need days to find their condition.

"We hope to accelerate in the coming weeks."

Juventus held a one-point lead over Lazio atop the Serie A table when the season was stopped.

Coronavirus: Premier League will cancel rest of season, says Udinese's Marino

With Liverpool 25 points clear atop the table, the Premier League was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many leagues around the world have been brought to a standstill, with Belgium set to cancel the rest of their campaign and award the title to leaders Club Brugge.

Marino, whose club are owned by Giampaolo Pozzo – the father of Watford owner Gino, believes England will do likewise.

"The Belgian federation has sanctioned the end of the championship, despite the threat of UEFA sanctions," he told Sportitalia on Tuesday.

"England is about to issue the same measure because the situation is becoming very serious. I speak of the Premier League."

Marino added: "We have to get away from this danger, no matter the weather. I'm worried about the coming seasons, not the old one."

More than 81,800 people have died from coronavirus worldwide, while there have been more than 1.4 million cases.

In the United Kingdom, more than 6,100 people have died from coronavirus.

Coronavirus: Premier League, NBA, F1 - when are suspended competitions aiming to return?

With almost 160,000 confirmed cases of the virus and close to 6,000 deaths, athletes across the globe are waiting to learn when they will return to work.

We take a look at the provisional return dates set out so far.
 

BASKETBALL

The NBAcame to a sudden stop when a Utah Jazz player - later revealed to be Rudy Gobert - tested positive on Wednesday, and league commissioner Adam Silver warned the hiatus would "be most likely at least 30 days".

CRICKET

International cricket has been pushed back, but there are no firm dates as things stand for rescheduled matches. England's two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka was called off midway through a warm-up match, while the ODI series between India and South Africa was postponed after the first of three matches was washed out. Australia won an opening ODI against New Zealand behind closed doors, but the remaining two 50-over matches were delayed, along with a three-match Twenty20 series. There is at least a provisional date for the Indian Premier League to belatedly start: April 15, pushed back from March 29.

FOOTBALL

European football is at a standstill, with the Champions League among the elite-level competitions suspended. UEFA is set to meet to discuss the future of that tournament and Euro 2020 this week, while FIFA has advised postponements of upcoming international fixtures, for which clubs are no longer required to release their players. The Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A are all paused at least until April 3 although the Bundesliga has only called off one matchweek as things stand, while Ligue 1 is off "until further notice".

GOLF

The PGA Tour initially announced a three-week suspension, with The Players Championship stopped after its opening round. The Masters - won in 2019 by Tiger Woods - was therefore set to mark the Tour's return on April 9, but organisers soon announced the first major of the year would also be postponed. The RBC Heritage on April 16 is the next scheduled tournament. Organisers are planning "regular status updates in the coming weeks" amid "a very fluid situation that requires constant review, communication, and transparency".

MOTORSPORT

The Formula One season is still to start after races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China were postponed or cancelled. The Dutch Grand Prix on May 3 remains on at this stage, however, while managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn has suggested the calendar could be reshuffled, with races held in August. NASCAR has postponed events in Atlanta and Miami this and next weekend, and all IndyCar Series races through Aprilhave been cancelled.

RUGBY

Rugby league has largely been able to continue both in England and in Australia, but the same is not true of rugby union. Six Nations matches were among the first to fall by the wayside amid the crisis in Italy, with the Azzurri seeing matches against both Ireland and England postponed until later in the year. France versus Ireland was off, too, while Scotland's trip to Wales belatedly followed suit. Club action has ground to a halt, with Super Rugby finally paused this weekend and no return imminent.

TENNIS

After Indian Wells and then the Miami Open were cancelled, the ATP Tour announced its suspension up to and including the week of April 20. The WTA Tour preferred to call off individual events, but the schedule is now clear for five weeks. It was still to make a decision on the European clay-court season. The Fed Cup finals and play-offs - set for mid-April - have been pushed back, meanwhile, with the ITF vowing to address any impact the postponement may have on players' eligibility for Tokyo 2020.

OTHERS

Despite chaos surrounding various sports across the globe, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe says the country is still planning for the Olympic Games in Tokyo to go ahead as scheduled in July. The London Marathon and the Boston Marathon will both still go ahead this year, but with revised dates of October 4 and September 14, respectively. The Giro d'Italia will be postponed and a new date for the race will not be announced until at least April 3 when a decree in Italy banning sport ends. The NBA is not the only American competition to be disrupted, meanwhile, with the 2020 MLBseason moved back "at least two weeks" from March 26, and the NHLcampaign paused indefinitely.

Coronavirus: Prudency unpopular but necessary amid wait for Serie A return - Spadafora

Serie A was suspended indefinitely in March due to COVID-19 and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already stated that the 2019-20 season will not resume until the health and safety of all concerned can be guaranteed.

Spadafora is hoping to confirm a May 4 date for the return to Serie A training as soon as possible, with the current restrictions on movement and outdoor activities set to end on May 3.

There have been reports that seven clubs, including Torino and Sampdoria, are against the resumption of the campaign, while others are keen to complete the campaign, which had Juventus a point clear of Lazio atop the table through 26 games.

Spadafora provided a personal update, writing via Facebook on Wednesday: "I too am a fan who misses watching his team.

"I was waiting for the Euros [European Championship] 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.

"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."

Coronavirus: Rabiot denounces media as he hits back at 'strike' reports

Newspaper reports in Italy and his native France accused Rabiot of taking personal action in response to seeing his salary slashed, with all Serie A clubs taking such measures to protect their finances during the league's suspension.

But Rabiot managed to see the funny side, posting a photo of himself looking distracted to his Instagram story with the caption, "when you realise it was the last day of… strike" accompanied by laughing emojis.

A follow-up post featured an illustration of a medicine bottle, its label reading: "Newspapers-TV, press – do not swallow".

Rabiot has been self-isolating in France during the pandemic and remains there despite many of his team-mates returning to training in Turin, as Serie A edges closer to resuming.

His decision to stay in France is, according to a report from an Italian newspaper, what his "personal strike" has amounted to, though he is expected to travel to Italy on Wednesday.

He will be forced to endure another 14-day period of self-isolation after arriving, as the Italian government is instructing those returning from abroad to quarantine themselves in an attempt to quell COVID-19's spread.

The virus has been contracted by over 221,000 people in Italy, with more than 30,000 of them dying.

Coronavirus: Real Madrid, Inter and Bayern Munich set up charity tournament for 2021

Spain and Italy have been two of the hardest-hit European nations during the COVID-19 outbreak, recording 27,709 and 32,007 deaths, respectively.

Everyday life – including sport – has seen massive changes across both countries over the past two months, with lockdown measures only recently beginning to be eased.

The three European giants will play matches next year to determine the winner of the European Solidary Cup, but the main purpose will be to aid the purchasing of healthcare supplies and express gratitude to medical professionals for their work during the pandemic.

The matches will be played across each of the three cities, with the tournament announced for 2021 in the hope fans will once again be able to attend.

A statement released by Los Blancos read: "Real Madrid are set to team up with Bayern Munich and Inter to host the European Solidarity Cup in 2021. The three clubs will come together to send out a message of solidarity and fraternity to the people of Europe.

"The solidarity event will see three football matches held during 2021 in the cities of Madrid, Munich and Milan. The dates for these games will depend on the competitive calendar and of course will take place when the fans are able to return to the stands.

"The three teams will all come up against each other: Madrid vs Inter will happen in Madrid, Inter vs Bayern is set for Milan and Bayern vs Madrid will be held in Munich. The proceeds from these games will go towards the purchase of healthcare resources in Italy and Spain.

"Healthcare staff who continue to fight the pandemic will be represented at all of the games. The three clubs wish to demonstrate to these heroes all of our solidarity, respect and gratitude."

Bayern resumed their 2019-20 Bundesliga campaign on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Union Berlin.

LaLiga and Serie A are not expected to recommence until next month at the earliest, however.

Coronavirus: Roma players, coach and staff forego four months' wages

They have also agreed to top up the salaries of Roma employees placed on the Italian government's job retention scheme so they receive their usual net pay while football is suspended.

Serie A was put on hold in March after initially playing some games behind closed doors, but it is hoped teams will be able to return to training on May 4.

If the 2019-20 season does continue and is completed, the club, players, coach and his staff have agreed an incentive plan to be paid upon attaining unspecified sporting objectives.

Roma CEO Guido Fienga said: "We always talk about unity at Roma and in volunteering to cut their salaries for the rest of the season, the players, the coach, and his staff, have all proved that we really are in this together.

"Edin [Dzeko], all the players and Paulo [Fonseca] have demonstrated they understand what this club stands for and we also thank them all for their superb gesture towards the employees at this club."

The Giallorossi have not played a competitive match since March 1.

Italy has over 175,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with more than 23,000 people having died after testing positive.

In a letter to Fienga, the players wrote: "We are writing to express our support to the company for all that it is doing in this period to overcome the difficulties created by the COVID-19 emergency.

"We players are ready to start playing as soon as possible, giving the maximum to achieve our goals, but we also realise that all this will not be enough to face the economic consequences of the current emergency.

"With the hope of doing something that will help the company to better restart the Roma project that we all share, we offer this financial proposal.

"We also confirm all of our support for the initiatives of Roma and Roma Cares to help those who find themselves in difficulty because of the virus. Forza Roma!"

Coronavirus: Roma to dedicate next match to frontline medical staff

Elite sport has been halted by the global crisis, with more than 650,000 confirmed cases and over 30,000 deaths.

Only the United States has more cases than Italy, where Serie A has been suspended until at least May 3.

Roma last played at Cagliari on March 1, winning 4-3, but the club have a plan for their next game in front of a packed crowd at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Serie A side said they will dedicate their "first home match in front of fans after football returns to honouring and celebrating the medical workers who have been on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19".

A statement added it was "an extension of the club's 'HEROES' series on social media, which pays tribute to individual doctors, nurses and medics in Italy and around the world".

The promise of 5,000 free tickets for medical workers would "allow fans to show their appreciation for the selfless efforts of the medics during this crisis", Roma explained.

They will also honour workers who have lost their lives, introduce a reduced price rate for medical staff from the start of next season, and donate a proportion of each ticket sale to the club's fundraising campaign.

Roma president James Pallotta added: "It is impossible to overstate just how much we appreciate the work of the medical staff in Italy and around the world."

Pallotta has donated €75,000 to the club's COVID-19 fundraising project, which has brought in more than €530,000.

Coronavirus: Roma to resume training as Serie A clubs eye return

The 2019-20 Serie A season has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has killed more than 244,500 people worldwide.

All teams in Italy are set to return to training on May 18, the day after the government's existing lockdown measures expire, but some are scheduled to resume earlier.

A decree issued by the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy on Thursday opened the door for Sassuolo, SPAL, Bologna and Parma to return to training next week.

Sassuolo were the first team to announce a resumption of training on Saturday, although social distancing rules must be complied with and there can be no mass gatherings.

And Roma followed suit, saying in a statement: "#ASRoma would like to thank the Lazio Regione for its sensitivity towards team sports.

"Next week, Roma players will undergo medical assessments and begin individual training sessions – observing safe distancing guidelines – at the Trigoria training centre."

An emergency meeting of Lega Serie A was held on Friday during which it was reported all 20 teams agreed to resume the campaign rather than follow the examples of the Eredivisie and Ligue 1, which ended their respective seasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.

After Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned the government could step in to bring the season to a conclusion if an agreement on medical protocols for the resumption of matches was not reached, Lega Serie A president Paolo Dal Pino's call for a united approach was seemingly heeded.

Defending champions Juventus were a point clear of Lazio through 26 games at the time of postponement.

Coronavirus: Ronaldo happy to be back in Juventus training

The 35-year-old returned to training with the Serie A giants on Tuesday as officials look to resume the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a post on Twitter, Ronaldo was pictured smiling and offering two thumbs up.

"When we become patient and consistent, we find the way to get through the difficulties #backontrack #beresponsible," the Portuguese star wrote.

Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in 32 games for Juventus this season.

Juve were top of Serie A, in the Champions League last 16 and Coppa Italia semi-finals when the campaign was suspended.

Coronavirus: Ronaldo misses Juventus training to remain in Madeira

Portugal international Ronaldo returned to his homeland earlier this week to spend time with his mother, who suffered a stroke earlier this month.

Due to travel restrictions in and out of Italy to prevent the spread of coronavirus – now categorised as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) – Serie A champions Juve are unsure when their star forward will return to Turin.

A statement on the Italian club's official website read: "Cristiano Ronaldo did not train [on Wednesday] and remains in Madeira pending developments related to the current health emergency."

A number of Serie A clubs have suspended training this week, but Juventus' players were again put through their paces midweek, ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League last-16 return leg against Lyon – who lead 1-0.

Gonzalo Higuain trained alone at Juventus Training Centre due to a minor injury and Rodrigo Bentancur withdrew from the session with a thigh complaint.

Maurizio Sarri's Juve beat rivals Inter 2-0 in a behind-closed-doors match last weekend to climb back into top spot in Serie A, one point above Lazio before the suspension of football in the country.

Coronavirus: Ronaldo, Pogba and Klopp thanked by WHO chief

The Ethiopian politician and academic paid tribute to the trio, along with others from the world of sport who have called for individuals to take responsibility for limiting the spread of the pandemic.

Ronaldo posted a message on Twitter in which he urged his followers to "follow the advice of the WHO", while Klopp told Liverpool supporters to "think about the vulnerable in our society and act where possible with compassion for them".

Pogba told his 39.7 million Instagram followers to "dab to beat coronavirus" - as part of advice to cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than hands - while he also shared WHO resources.

"Thank you Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool FC for your powerful message to the world," Ghebreyesus wrote on Twitter.

"Put people's health first, reduce risks, care for the vulnerable and compassion: this is the WHO way.

"We will win the fight against COVID-19 if we are working together.

"The WHO is grateful for the solidarity being shown by Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool FC, Alisson Becker, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, FIFA, Peter Schmeichel, Andrea Radrizzani, Romain Grosjean and others in the world of sport."

Coronavirus: Sampdoria forward Gabbiadini becomes second Serie A player to test positive

Gabbiadini is the second professional player in Serie A - after Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani - to contract COVID-19.

"UC Sampdoria announces that Manolo Gabbiadini has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)," a club statement read.

"Gabbiadini has a slight fever but is otherwise fine. The club is activating all isolation procedures as set out by the authorities."

In a post on Twitter, Gabbiadini wrote: "I've tested positive for coronavirus. I want to thank you all for the many messages I've received. I also want to let you know that I'm fine, so don't worry. Follow the rules, stay at home and everything will work out."

Gabbiadini played 61 minutes of Sampdoria's 2-1 triumph over Hellas Verona on Sunday, a match that was ordered to be played behind closed doors.

Following the news of the former Southampton player's positive test, Verona cancelled all upcoming activities.

"Hellas Verona FC announces that, following the Sampdoria statement regarding Manolo Gabbiadini's positive test for COVID-19, any scheduled competitive activity is suspended until further notice," a statement from the club read.

"The club is taking steps to prepare all the necessary procedures."

The Italian government has suspended all sport until April 3 due to the outbreak of the virus and placed the country in lockdown, with all shops except food stores and pharmacies closing.

There have been over 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 827 deaths in Italy.

Coronavirus: Sampdoria president says Serie A season 'must end here'

Serie A was suspended indefinitely last month due to the spread of COVID-19, and authorities have insisted they will not even consider resuming action until it is safe to do so.

It remains to be seen if and when the 2019-20 campaign returns but matches behind closed doors are almost a certainty in Italy, where more than 17,600 people have died from coronavirus.

"Let's organise ourselves to say that this championship must end here and now," Ferrero told Telenord.

"I say it with a heavy heart, because I do want to resume, but only when I can see our beautiful stadium with fans beating their drums.

"I saw Sampdoria-Verona behind closed doors and it hurt my soul to see it played in silence. How can you celebrate a result in that desolate landscape?

"Why bother playing a game without fans, the colours all around, the noise and cheering, this is football, this is entertainment and 90 minutes of pure adrenaline. A game without fans, what even is it?"

The last Serie A game before the league's postponement was on March 9 – Sassuolo defeated Brescia 3-0.

Sampdoria were 16th and only a point above the relegation zone after 25 games when the Serie A came to a halt last month.

Coronavirus: Sampdoria squad cleared of COVID-19

Last month, Serie A outfit Sampdoria announced Manolo Gabbiadini, Omar Colley, Albin Ekdal, Antonino La Gumina and Morten Thorsby tested positive for coronavirus.

One of the club's medical staff also contracted COVID-19, which has wreaked havoc globally and brought sport to a standstill.

But on Thursday, Sampdoria announced that all members that had coronavirus previously are now free of the illness.

Serie A was suspended indefinitely in March due to COVID-19 and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already stated that the 2019-20 season will not resume until the health and safety of all concerned can be guaranteed.

Italy's minister for sport Vincenzo Spadafora is hoping to confirm a May 4 date for the return to Serie A training as soon as possible, with the current restrictions on movement and outdoor activities set to end on May 3.

The FIGC said the season will be extended until August 2, providing extra time for clubs to finish the remainder of the campaign.

Juventus were a point clear of Lazio at the top of the table through 26 games when the league was halted.

Coronavirus: Sassuolo become first Serie A club to announce return to training

Optional individual sessions will be allowed to take place at the Mapei Football Center from Monday, although social distancing rules must be complied with and there can be no mass gatherings.

A decree issued by the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy on Thursday opened the door for Sassuolo, SPAL, Bologna and Parma to return to training next week.

The rest of the Serie A clubs have to wait until at least May 18, which is the day after the Italian government's existing lockdown measures are due to expire.

A Sassuolo statement read: "Players will only be allowed access to the pitches in compliance with rules of social distancing, while access to the Sports Center (locker rooms, gyms, offices) will be prohibited.

"The individual sessions, which will take place during the mornings from Monday to Friday, with the use of three fields, with six players per hour (one player for each half of the pitch), will not be attended by the technical staff, while an emergency health supervision will be guaranteed."

It was reported on Friday that all 20 Serie A clubs had voted to see out the rest of the 2019-20 season, which has been suspended since March 9 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

A date for the return of competitive fixtures is yet to be confirmed.

While the Premier League, Bundesliga and LaLiga are also committed to finishing the campaign, the Eredivisie and Ligue 1 this week cancelled their seasons prematurely.

There have been over 209,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and more than 28,000 deaths in Italy.

Coronavirus: Scrap the Scudetto if season stops again, says Juventus defender Bonucci

Football in Italy is due to return this month after being suspended since March following the outbreak of COVID-19.

Juventus were a point ahead of Lazio when the campaign was stopped as they pursued a ninth Scudetto in a row, with Inter a further eight points back with a game in hand.

A serious second wave of infections would likely see Serie A brought to a standstill again and Bonucci thinks it would be better for all concerned in that instance if 2019-20 was simply scrapped.

"I hope we get to the normal end of the championship," the Juve defender told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "If that didn't happen, a lot of stories, controversies, appeals would come out.

"I'm not in favour of other hypotheses. If it stops, it's better to finish things there and not assign anything.

"Hopefully, we'll get to August 2 and declare a winner. Hopefully, it's Juve."

Juve will resume the season with the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Milan on June 12, with the aggregate score 1-1.

The Bianconeri are pursuing a possible treble in Maurizio Sarri's first season in charge since he took over from Massimiliano Allegri.

Comparing the two coaches, Bonucci admits to being "pleasantly surprised" by Sarri's way of working.

When asked to name the differences between Allegri and Sarri, he said: "They're obvious. Allegri is really good at managing the dressing room, the most difficult moments of the season, to make the team understand how to manage the tempo of a match. In his five years, he was a master at this.

"Sarri is meticulous, passionate about tactics, someone who likes to make the team play well. He's also learned in these months with Juve what it means to be Bianconero.

"I've seen us grow significantly. He has a wealth of football knowledge, but he has been able to question himself. He had the humility to understand the dynamics of the collective. I was pleasantly surprised, really."

Coronavirus: Serie A clubs banned from team training until at least April 13

The Serie A season was suspended indefinitely last month with Italy hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Napoli and Lazio were among the clubs to backtrack on plans to return to training last month and with Italy extending their nationwide lockdown until April 13, Conte ruled out any team sessions taking place.

"Actual measures are extended until April 13. We know we are asking another effort, another sacrifice," he said on Wednesday.

"We have to understand one thing – if we stop following the rules or reduce these measures, we will waste our efforts."

Conte added: "The only news introduced is about athletes' training sessions … training sessions are not allowed in clubs' headquarters.

"It doesn't mean athletes cannot train themselves, they can do it individually."

More than 13,100 people have died from coronavirus in Italy, with the global death toll exceeding 46,000.

Coronavirus: Serie A clubs cleared to start team training

Clubs were cleared to resume work at their training bases from May 4, although only for individual sessions.

As part of further easing of lockdown measures, Conte gave the green light for team training to take place next week.

"Team training will resume on May 18, including football," he said as part of a Saturday address.

The decision moves Serie A closer to a resumption, although Conte said himself and sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora still had outstanding conditions to be met before Italy's top flight can follow the Bundesliga back into action.

Serie A and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) are yet to agree on medical protocols set by the government for the competition's return.

The health department wants entire teams to be quarantined for 14 days if a player tests positive, while clubs and the league believe such measures would make a restart impractical and favour a scenario where only the individual in question is isolated.

"Minister Spadafora is following the situation with great attention and is very responsible," Conte said.

"We must wait for conditions to be achieved to guarantee maximum safety for the resumption of the championship.

"We need some more guarantees that at the moment we do not have."

Serie A has been out of action since Sassuolo's 3-0 win over Brescia on March 9.

A June 13 return has been mooted, with inter-regional movement to remain limited until June 3.

Italy was the hardest-hit country during the early weeks of coronavirus' spread in Europe and its death toll of 31,763 is the third highest worldwide behind the United States and the United Kingdom.

Coronavirus: Serie A clubs given all-clear to resume training

A decree issued by the Emilia-Romagna region on Thursday opened the door for Sassuolo, SPAL, Bologna and Parma to train from May 4. On Saturday, Sassuolo became the first team to confirm they would return to training.

Roma followed in their footsteps, and now the rest of the teams in Italy's top flight can prepare for a potential resumption of the season following a government decree that permits players to train individually at their clubs, respecting social distancing rules.

The Clubs and Players' Association had argued it was safer to run inside a training ground than in local parks, as social distancing can be guaranteed.

A statement from Italy's Home Office read: "On the basis of a systematic reading of the various provisions, supported by a shared orientation in the inter-ministerial forum, it is believed that sport activities are allowed for individual athletes, both professional and non-professional, of non-individual disciplines, like every citizen, in public or private areas, respecting the interpersonal safety distance of at least two metres and respecting the prohibition of any form of assembly."

The decree will be in force until May 17, the day Italy's lockdown measures expire.

The 2019-20 Serie A season has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has seen over 28,000 people die in Italy.

Juventus are top of Serie A, the defending champions leading Lazio by a point.