Football training can start next month, says Italian PM

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has given the go-ahead for professional sports teams to start training again next month after the novel coronavirus outbreak but did not set a date for soccer’s top-flight, Serie A, to resume.

Conte, announcing measures to ease the lockdown during a televised address to the country, said individual training could start on May 4, when players would still have to respect social distancing rules, and that team training could begin on May 18.

Italy was the first European country to be hit hard by the coronavirus and Serie A has been suspended since March 9.

The suspension followed a chaotic fortnight in which Italy attempted to carry on with matches behind closed doors.

Conte said sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora would work with scientists and sports leaders to ensure training was safe.

“Then we will try to see if they can continue with the championships that are suspended.

“We will only reach this conclusion if it can be guaranteed that it is safe.

There are also plans to donate five Covid test-kits for each kit used by clubs

“We don’t want our athletes to get sick.

“I’m passionate about football,” he said.

“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.”

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already drawn up a medical protocol for training.

For the start of training, each club will form a group of players, technical staff, doctors and physiotherapists who will be tested and then isolated in a summer-style training camp.

There are also plans to donate five Covid test-kits for each kit used by clubs to avoid the criticism that football was taking away much-needed resources from other areas. —