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Serie A Teams To Start Training Individually
Serie A sides will be allowed to return to individual training on May 4 and team training on May 18 as Italy starts to ease its lockdown measures.
Although there was no formal announcement on when football would resume, there are hopes fixtures may kick-off again from May 27- June 2.
The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte made the announcement in a televised address, saying that after team training has resumed, “we’ll evaluate if there are the conditions to allow the season to be completed”.
He added: “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 athletes to get sick.
“I’m passionate for football. Like many Italians, I initially found it strange that the championship could be interrupted or suspended but I think that even the most ardent fan understands that there wasn’t an alternative.”
Conte added that when “phase two” of the lockdown plan begins on 4 May with the easing of restrictions, social distancing of at least one metre must be maintained and this extends to two metres when exercising.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) plans to begin testing players ahead of their return to training from the beginning of May and has already drawn up a protocol.
For the start of training, each club will form a group of club staff, including players, who will be tested and then isolated in a summer-style training camp.
Plans have also been laid out to donate five Covid test kits for each kit used by clubs as they look to avoid criticism that football is taking away much-needed resources from other areas.
Serie A has 12 full rounds and four other outstanding fixtures to play, with Juventus one point clear of Lazio at the top of the league.
/Stewart Sports news editor
