Serie A

Italy has been in lockdown for almost two weeks as its government attempt to contain the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 4,800 people in the country.

There were over 790 deaths recorded in Italy on Saturday, with sport across the globe put on hold – Serie A has been suspended until at least April while UEFA postponed Euro 2020 until next year.

Italian Footballers' Association (AIC) president Damiano Tommasi said the Serie A season could resume in May or June if all goes well amid the COVID-19 emergency, but Pastore has serious doubts over the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign.

"We'll see if we play again from this season or the next. To be honest, I think it'll be impossible to finish the season, as we need at least 20-30 days of training to be ready," the Argentina international told Radio Impacto.

"All the clubs will lose money, but I think it's pretty much impossible to resume where we left off. It would mean ending later and later, so having to move the start of the next campaign.

"But we can't do that, because next summer there's the Euros, the Copa America, etc."

Prior to the Serie A hiatus, defending champions Juventus topped the table by one point ahead of Lazio.

The last top-flight fixture was between Sassuolo and Brescia, with the former winning 3-0 on March 9.

Serie A has been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 crisis, though most teams are returning to individual training this week.

Spadafora has previously reiterated that team training will not resume before May 18, despite the government allowing players to return to club facilities.

With Germany's Bundesliga set to restart its 2019-20 campaign later in May, Spadafora said on Wednesday: "The [Italian Football Federation] FIGC has proposed a protocol, which the technical-scientific committee will evaluate tomorrow [Thursday].

"We hope the green light can be given, even if football's a sport where there is no possibility of avoiding contact and the use of protective tools isn't envisaged.

"In the last few days, even organised fans have condemned the idea of resuming the campaign.

"I refer to Europe, where the only certain dates given have been from countries that have decided to stop their seasons. Even England, which seemed the readiest, postponed the decision to resume training only a week ago.

"I repeat my stance, which also applies to the government: we hope the season resumes soon, but right now it's still impossible to give a date. We have to see how the contagion curve will develop in the next two weeks."

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

Outside of China, Italy has been the hardest hit by the virus – named COVID-19 – with more than 1,400 deaths from at least 21,100 cases.

The global pandemic has forced the postponement of all sport, including Serie A, until April 3 in Italy, where the country is in lockdown with all shops except food stores and pharmacies closing.

"Please stay home and respect the rules," Conte said in a video message posted via Inter's official channels.

"That's the only way to confront this emergency.

"It's difficult and tough moment but if we stick together, we'll get through it. Don't give up!"

Conte is in isolation, along with his Inter team, after coming into contact with Juventus defender Daniele Rugani – who contracted coronavirus.

Rugani was the first Serie A player to test positive for COVID-19, which has spread alarmingly quickly in the country, while Manolo Gabbiadini is among a number of Sampdoria players to contract the virus.

Juve confirmed on Wednesday that Rugani had contracted for the COVID-19 virus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.

Rugani was an unused substitute on Sunday, as Juve saw off Inter 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash played behind closed doors.

Following Juve's announcement over Rugani, Inter confirmed they will suspend all competitive activities until further notice.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now declared the spread of the illness as a global pandemic, with people urged to self-isolate for 14 days if they have come into contract with someone suffering from the virus.

Italy has responded strongly to the outbreak, with the country placed on lockdown and the government having now suspended all domestic sport until April 3.

Serie A clubs are allowed to resume group training from Monday, having been permitted to return to team bases for individual sessions on May 4.

Every team in Italy's top flight is conducting testing as Serie A works towards a resumption of the 2019-20 season, which has been suspended since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An Inter statement read: "FC Internazionale Milano announces that all of the results from Friday's medical tests on the club's players, coaching staff, management staff and the remainder of the team group have returned as negative."

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

The health ministry 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.

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

On Saturday, Parma confirmed two players had been placed in quarantine ahead of the return to group sessions.

The impact of coronavirus has been devastating, with more than 18,600 deaths globally and at least 418,270 confirmed cases.

COVID-19 has brought sport to a standstill, with Serie A among the professional leagues on hiatus amid the global health crisis.

Italy – particularly Milan and the Lombardy region – has been the hardest hit, with almost 7,000 casualties and over 69,100 cases.

Former Manchester United star Young, who left Old Trafford for Antonio Conte's Inter in January, shared his own advice from Milan, where a lockdown has been enforced.

"Hi everyone, just wanted to share my thoughts given I'm currently living in Italy, the epicentre of the virus," the 34-year-old Englishman wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. "Realistically a supermarket is now your main risk at spreading this virus and even catching it. Speaking with family and friends at home it sounds like going to get food is just crazy. Remember, lockdown means lockdown!

"In Italy going to the supermarket is surprisingly calm... no fights over food, no stripped shelves and most certainly no abusing staff members for limiting food or any reason at all! And in almost every case it's usually just one person shopping for a household!

"Please read the following and share this if you haven't already, it really is time to do your bit to help tackle this awful global crisis we are in!

"Queuing to go into supermarket is standard, but not because it's for stockpiling or greed. Supermarkets have limited the number of people entering at any time so it's never over-crowded! So wait and be patient to go in if your supermarket is doing this.

"If you have to get in the lift only get in with one more person, two people per lift at one time. And stand on opposite sides of the lift and face the wall – don't breathe outwards towards that stranger.

"Always use gloves from moment you get out of your car! You don't want to touch trolleys that other hands have been on. Keep the gloves on until you are getting back in the car.

"Use a face mask or scarf to keep your nose and mouth covered. Always keep your distance at the till. Keep the trolley behind you when you unpack at the till as it stops people from being able to get too close.

"Don't unpack your shopping right on top of somebody else's, make a gap between theirs and yours so none of your shopping touches theirs. Here we can't put our groceries on the belt until the person in front has finished paying.

"This may sound harsh but treat everybody that's not in your household as if they have the virus, you just don't know!!! Most importantly, just stay safe! This is what we are doing here, it's not an overreaction, it's staying safe. And just remember others should be looking at you in this way as well. It's not horrible, it's a way of keeping your distance to ultimately help save lives."

Italy has suffered heavily during the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world, with over 10,000 recorded deaths so far in the country, and the government has suspended all domestic sport until at least April 3.

The break is likely to continue beyond that date but former Milan striker Inzaghi, now head coach of runaway Serie B leaders Benevento, has warned of the ramifications of scrapping the campaign.

"Talking about football is difficult," Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia. "We have all taken a step back for our health, which is the highest priority.

"By the time everything ends, we want to start playing again - it would be the right thing. We all want to finish what we started eight months ago, and the championships must be finished.

"It would be the best solution to avoid misunderstandings and prevent someone from being damaged.

"We are ready to play in June, July and August: we want to end this championship, any other decision will penalise someone. We will go to the courts, some clubs will disappear, so football could risk losing two years, not two months."

Inzaghi has guided Benevento to 21 victories in 28 games so far this season, while brother Simone is enjoying a successful campaign in the top tier with Lazio.

The Biancoceleste are second in Serie A, just a point behind leaders Juventus, and Filippo was full of praise for both his brother and Ciro Immobile, Lazio's leading scorer.

"He is better than me in everything," said the Benevento boss. "I can only learn from Simone: he is a modern coach and seeing his Lazio side is a spectacle."

Asked to name a player similar to himself, Inzaghi added: "I don't like making comparisons, but I say that Immobile is the best Italian player.

"He always scores, always decisive. He is the centre-forward that I like best."

Serie A has been suspended since last month due to the coronavirus pandemic but hopes of the 2019-20 campaign restarting have intensified as Italy plans to ease lockdown measures.

The timeline would allow for sports teams to resume group training by May 18, albeit with social distancing measures in place.

Amid widespread debate over whether to continue or scrap the season, Spadafora said via Facebook: "Resumption must be gradual. Opinion polls would like football to stop here.

"I'm not a person who gets influenced by opinion polls. I don't decide along the lines of common sentiment. It would be much easier to end the season immediately and the scientific community would agree.

"Carrying on the world of football is a very important thing for our country, but we must do it safely. Remember when Serie A didn't stop? How many teams have gone into quarantine? The [Italian Football Federation] FIGC submitted a protocol and it was considered.

"Today we're at the end of April, we can't know for sure how the virus will evolve and how the rules will be respected, therefore we can't know when the season will resume.

"We'll find out at a later date, when we have the data from the implementation of protocol. The protocol has very high costs, how will Serie B find it?

"It's not true that there isn't full consistency with the words of President Conte and my own. Claims of a plot against Serie A are ridiculous and whoever says there is one is just as ridiculous. We've been working to resume training from May 18, but that doesn't mean the leagues will start up again."

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina added: "We've always said that we'd like to restart once the conditions have been met, and the horizon offered by the government allows us to do that.

"We're convinced of the path that we've taken because it's a serious and responsible one, the only one that serves the general interest of the system and Italian sport which, for several reasons, would also be damaged by abandonment of the Serie A season.

"Our medical and scientific commission has drawn up a very rigorous protocol, as did all the other sectors that want to restart, but we're ready to integrate it and modify it by implanting the guidelines of the commission, CONI [Italian National Olympic Committee] and recognising the FMSI [Italian Sports Medicine Federation] as a scientific reference to harmonise everything."

The 2019-20 Serie A season has been suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 53,100 people worldwide.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was listed as the first Serie A player to contract coronavirus following the club's 2-0 win over Inter behind closed doors on March 8.

With Italy hit hardest by the virus – more than 13,910 deaths – Belgium star Lukaku questioned why the league was not postponed sooner.

"Health comes first. Why should we play if there are people in the world who are risking their lives?" Lukaku said in an interview with Thierry Henry via Puma's Instagram.

"Why was it only necessary for a player to test positive in order for football to stop? It's not normal.

"I will admit that I do miss football, but now the most important thing is people's health. Everything else comes secondary to that."

Amid the hiatus, Lukaku told Henry: "What I miss most is competing with opponents, being in full stadiums and feeling the support from the fans.

"I am using this time to analyse my performances and indeed, more generally, everything I have done in the last six months. You can always improve in football."

Further measures to prevent the spread of the virus were taken on Monday, affecting a plethora of sports and leagues.

More events were subject to postponements, while the sight of games taking place in empty arenas will be a common one in the coming weeks.

Here we look at the sporting decisions announced on Monday as the world attempts to tackle the outbreak.

Italy - All sporting activity in Italy was suspended until April 3 by the country's Olympic Committee, in a decision pending government ratification. In a statement, the committee conceded it does not have jurisdiction over international competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League.

France - Ligue 1 games are now required to be played behind closed doors or with a limit of 1,000 fans until April 15. Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will be contested behind closed doors at the Parc des Princes.

France - The Six Nations finale between France and Ireland, due to take place at the Stade de France on Saturday, is postponed. England's game with Italy was already off, meaning it is unclear when the winner of the competition will be determined. Scotland's game with Wales in Cardiff is on, and Gregor Townsend's men can move into first place with a win. England and France are level on 13 points, with Ireland on nine having seen two games postponed.

United States - The ATP's Indian Wells Masters and WTA's Indian Wells Open were both cancelled following a confirmed case of the virus in Riverside County, California.

United States - According to ESPN, the NBA is to hold a conference call with the 30 team owners and governors to discuss the next steps for how it handles the spread of the virus in the USA, where there have been 213 confirmed cases.

Asia - FIFA confirmed the AFC qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, which were scheduled to take place in the international windows of March 23-31 and June 1-9, have been postponed.

Switzerland - Basel announced on Monday that the second leg of their Europa League tie with Eintracht Frankfurt, set to be contested on March 19, cannot be played at their St Jakob Park home due to coronavirus-related restrictions. Switzerland's top-flight, the Super League, is suspended until March 23.

Japan - The postponement of the start of the Nippon Professional Baseball regular season was confirmed at a media conference on Monday.

United States - IndyCar is not expecting any impact on its 2020 schedule as a result of the outbreak.

France - Rugby League side Catalans Dragons are waiting for an official decision from the Perpignan prefecture or government regarding Saturday's Super League game with Leeds Rhinos after the country's ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

Prime minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed on Sunday that restrictions would begin to be relaxed from May 4 after stringent rules were enforced following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Italy has been one of the worst-affected nations, with over 26,000 deaths, but it is now preparing to take some steps back towards the normality that existed before COVID-19 arrived.

Conte warned that social-distancing rules would still need to apply, with sportspeople allowed to train individually from May 4 and in groups from May 18.

Serie A was halted last month and it remains to be seen when it will return, although Conte suggested many more services could be up and running by June.

Speaking at a media conference about the sport so beloved in his country, Conte said: "I am passionate about football, like many Italians, so it did seem strange that the season could be suspended, but even the most passionate supporters realised there was no alternative.

"Minister for sport Vincenzo Spadafora will work intensively over the next few days with the experts, scientists and sporting figures to undertake training individually from May 4, in groups from May 18, and then we'll evaluate if there are the conditions to allow the season to be completed.

"Right now, we need to complete all the discussions to ensure that if we do reach that stage, we'll do so in the utmost safety and security.

"We are passionate about sport and don't want our idols to get ill."

Serie A was suspended indefinitely in March, after some matches were played behind closed doors, due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 145,500 lives globally.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already stated that the campaign will not resume until the health and safety of all concerned can be guaranteed.

The Italian government has extended its current strict restrictions on movement and outdoor activities until May 3, although reports suggest some clubs are keen to return to training at that time, resume playing by the end of the same month and conclude 2019-20 in July.

On a possibility of resuming training next month, Spadafora told reporters: "The next few weeks will be fundamental to understand the evolution of the healthcare situation and how, if and when we can get back to playing sport at all levels.

"We hope to confirm the May 4 date for a return to training as soon as possible. I hope we can keep to that date, even if it is only for training behind closed doors.

"At this moment, our only concern must be the health and safety of the general population."

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

Italy – which remains on lockdown – has recorded over 22,100 deaths and at least 168,900 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The CONI announcement on Monday confirmed a suspension, subject to government ratification, that many had expected.

Serie A and the Coppa Italia had already been heavily affected by postponements and matches being played behind closed doors, with Sunday's Derby d'Italia played in front of an eerily empty stadium.

A government decree had already confirmed there were to be no spectators at any sporting events until April 3, but the latest announcement followed a significant increase in coronavirus cases, with 7,375 Italians having been infected.

Many wider sporting events in Italy had already been postponed, but the suspension is arguably set to have the biggest knock-on effect in football, as it throws the Serie A title race – and relegation tussle – into chaos due to an ever-growing fixture pile-up.

Following Monday's news, here are the biggest clubs' Serie A and Coppa Italia matches set to be affected:

Juventus:

Bologna v Juventus, March 13

Juventus v Lecce, March 21

Juventus v Milan (Coppa Italia semi-final second leg), TBC

Lazio:

Atalanta v Lazio, March 15

Lazio v Fiorentina, March 20

Inter:

Inter v Sassuolo, March 15

Parma v Inter, March 22

Napoli v Inter (Coppa Italia semi-final second leg), TBC

Milan:

Lecce v Milan, March 15

Milan v Roma, March 22

Juventus v Milan (Coppa Italia semi-final second leg), TBC

With no matches set to take place until April 3, a deadline that could feasibly be pushed back even further, teams will resume the Serie A season with between 12 and 14 matches still to play.

With Euro 2020 set to begin on June 12, it leaves just 70 days between the two key dates, though facilities will have to be handed over to UEFA well before the tournament's kick-off.

If Champions League and Europa League matches continue to go ahead as planned, some Italian teams could have many as 20 matches across all competitions to cram into their schedules.

Juventus lead the way in Serie A on 63 points, and look set to be pushed the distance by Lazio. The Rome-based club are just a point shy, while Inter have fallen adrift of the top by nine.

Among the wider sporting events previously postponed through March and early April were: 

CYCLING

Tirreno-Adriatico, March 11-17

Milan-San Remo, March 21

Giro di Sicilia, April 1-4

SKIING

Alpine Skiing World Cup finals, March 18-22

RUGBY UNION

Italy v England, March 14

On Sunday it was announced by Italian PM Giuseppe Conte that the country would begin to relax some restrictions, with reported cases of coronavirus decreasing in the country.

The timeline would allow for sports teams to resume group training by May 18, albeit with social distancing measures in place.

Although such a move suggests a return to something resembling normality, minister for sport Vincenzo Spadafora urged caution as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat.

"We'll resume training for team sports from May 18, but only if the conditions of safety and security can be confirmed over the next few weeks," he told Rai 1, with Serie A having been halted in March.

"I don't wish to penalise or slow down the resumption of football, but I have to say we'll see because there need to be rigid and certain protocols in place on the safety of the athletes.

"The FIGC (Italian Football Federation) presented a protocol last night and the scientific committee considered it insufficient, so it needs adjustments. Only from that moment, when the protocol is agreed, can we decide whether or not to restart football.

"We realise that the world of football deserves respect and support, as it is one of the largest economic resources in the country."

Italy has been one of the countries most affected by the pandemic, with over 26,000 deaths.

Rugani tested positive for COVID-19 but is not displaying any symptoms, Serie A champions Juve revealed on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old contracted the virus following last week's clash with rivals Inter, and just six days before Juve are scheduled to play Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

"You will have read the news and that's why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I'm fine," Rugani wrote via social media.

"I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinctions! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us #thankyou."

No country outside China has been more heavily affected by the virus, which originated in Wuhan in December and was on Wednesday confirmed as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Italy has responded strongly to the outbreak, with the country placed on lockdown by its government and suspending all domestic sport until April 3.

According to the WHO, Italy has more than 12,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has seen over 800 deaths as a result.

The Juventus forward was one of the first notable footballers to confirm he had tested positive for COVID-19, though Dybala is optimistic he has shaken off the illness.

He and girlfriend Oriana Sabatini have been in self-isolation, and Dybala said both would be re-tested to check if they were now clear.

The 26-year-old said he would rather experts give advice on how to handle the virus but added: "I always try to give a message of what happened to me, that people take it seriously and that they stay at home."

Dybala also revealed how Juventus doctors have been in daily contact.

"All the people here have been very good to us and there are many cases here. I always tell them I'm fine and to try to see the people who really need it," he said.

Italy has been hit hard by the global health crisis, and Dybala is acutely aware there are many having a worse experience with coronavirus than he and his girlfriend.

"Well, luckily [we are] much better, these days we do not have any symptoms," he said.

"I had stronger symptoms, I got tired very quickly, when I wanted to train, I was short of breath after five minutes. There we noticed that something was not right and through the tests the club did we were told that we were positive.

"From there we had more symptoms, such as cough, tired body and when we slept I felt very cold, but from the club they had told us that we were going to be fine so we had to be calm."

Dybala said the first concern that you may have coronavirus is particularly difficult.

"It is a bit psychological, because you feel something and you are already afraid," he said. "I tried to think that it might not be that."

The couple are trying to make those in Argentina aware of the tough times they may face.

Dybala did also inject a little levity into his interview, which he gave to the Argentina Football Association's AFA Play service.

"Oriana and I will need to do the test again to know if is gone or not. And we will know the truth," he said. "I always joke, thinking that it was me who transmitted the virus to her since some of my team-mates of Juventus had it. I am sure it was me."

Serie A was suspended indefinitely in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already stated that the campaign 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.

When the season was halted, Bosnia-Herzegovina star Pjanic returned to his homeland, like superstar team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo – who retreated to Portugal, while the likes of Douglas Costa, Alex Sandro and Danilo made their way back to Brazil.

But Pjanic announced via Instagram on Sunday that he was returning to Italy, with the caption: "Back To The Business".

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

Prior to the season being stopped, Pjanic had scored three goals and supplied two assists in 22 Serie A appearances.

Matuidi is the second Juve to be diagnosed with the virus after Daniele Rugani was confirmed as their first case last Wednesday.

Like Rugani, Matuidi's test has come back positive despite the player not developing any symptoms; however, he had already been in isolation since his team-mate's diagnosis.

A statement released by Juve read: "Blaise Matuidi has undergone medical tests that have revealed his positivity to the coronavirus-COVID-19.

"The player, as of Wednesday March 11, has been in voluntary home isolation. He will continue to be monitored and will follow the same regime. He is well and is asymptomatic."

Football in Italy is suspended until April 3 due to the pandemic, but Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina has already suggested it is not realistic to expect action to resume at the start of next month.

Euro 2020 was due to start in Italy's capital Rome on June 12, but on Tuesday the tournament's postponement until June 2021 was confirmed by UEFA.

No country outside China has been more heavily affected by the virus.

COVID-19 was declared pandemic last week and has affected 196,000 people worldwide, with just under 32,000 cases recorded in Italy, where 2,503 deaths have occurred.

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 sat top, one point clear of Lazio, when the league was suspended.

Agnelli told the media: "I join in the compliments and unanimous support for the work of president Dal Pino and I take this opportunity to reiterate one thing.

"You all know I'm not very media friendly and I prefer to be silent. That may have fuelled the wrong interpretation of Juventus' desire.

"Well, I can strongly reiterate that Juventus have a firm intention to complete the 2019-20 season."

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

However, clubs in the Emilia-Romagna region could return to work as soon as Monday after local rules were relaxed, though the guidance could be overruled.

Agnelli said: "As for starting training on May 18 and matches in June, there will be ways and times to end the season, respecting the guidelines of UEFA and the ECA [European Club Association]."

Rugani was among the first wave of high-profile confirmed cases in Serie A when he tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

Matuidi followed as Juve's second case, although neither player developed symptoms.

A month on, the duo have each returned two negative tests.

The Bianconeri's statement read: "The players have, therefore, recovered and are no longer subjected to the home isolation regime."

The duo have not missed any action as Serie A has been suspended amid the pandemic.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is looking to resume the season in the coming months, however.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has praised Juve for their apparent stance against being awarded the Scudetto as they top the table at the time of the pause in play.

Maurizio Sarri's men are a point clear of second-placed Lazio with 12 matches remaining.