Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Vialli: Italy friendly at Wembley is in doubt
GIANLUCA VIALLI has admitted he does not know whether Italy’s friendly with England will go ahead because of the coronavirus.
And last night the Italian government announced all sport in the country, including all Serie A games, would be played behind closed doors until April 3.
And now Italy legend Vialli – part of Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini’s backroom staff – has cast serious doubt on England’s Wembley friendly on March 27 going ahead.
Former Chelsea player and boss Vialli admits it would be a serious blow to Euro 2020 preparations, but there is a growing concern because Italy has been so badly hit by the killer virus.
Italy has seen Serie A games postponed, Valencia’s Champions League game with Italian club Atalanta is expected to be behind closed doors and there are doubts over other sporting events.
Northern Italy has been one of the worst-hit parts in Europe.
When asked whether the friendly would be played, Vialli said: “I don’t know. We assume the game is going to go ahead unless we are told otherwise, but it is difficult for us.
“We’ve scheduled this game, but we need to be realistic and recognise that the governments and the sporting authorities will decide what we have to do and we will do that.”
The FA have tried to play down fears of the game being postponed, but this week’s Nations League draw has highlighted the growing crisis for football.
Eight of the 55 national team managers – including Scotland boss Steve Clarke – did not even travel to Amsterdam for the draw with the Scottish FA saying they did not want to take an “unnecessary risk”.
UEFA have even told their own staff not to travel in the next fortnight unless their journeys are absolutely essential.