Serie A Suspended Amid Increase In Coronavirus Cases
Sporting events in Italy, including Serie A games, have been suspended until April 3 to contain the spread of the Coronavirus in Italy.
Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Monday that the entire country had been placed in lockdown as the virus continues to spread.
Serie A games had originally been intended to be played behind closed doors following a two-week period when several games had to be postponed.
The fixture pile-up is set to disrupt the footballing calendar even further with Coppa Italia games also suspended and EURO 2020 just three months away.
Coronavirus cases in Italy are approaching 10,000.
"There is no more time, the numbers tell us there is a significant increase in the contagion, in intensive care and deaths," Conte said in a news conference.
"Our habits have to change, we must sacrifice something for the good of all of Italy. This is why we will adopt even more stringent measures.
"I will sign the new decree, which can be summed up with the phrase 'I am staying at home'. There are no more red zones, there is just an Italy that is protected.
"We must avoid travel unless for proven work reasons, health reasons or other necessities. We ban large public gatherings.
"We also have more stringent measures in mind for sporting events. Serie A and all sporting tournaments in general are suspended. All the fans must accept that."
It is not yet clear whether Juventus’ UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against Olympique Lyon next week will go ahead.
