Soccer

Serie A could be SUSPENDED for two weeks after 14 positive Covid-19 tests at Genoa  


Serie A could be SUSPENDED for two weeks after Italian football is left reeling from 14 positive Covid-19 tests at Genoa

  • Genoa returned 14 positive Covid-19 tests after losing 6-0 to Napoli on Sunday
  • Kick-off in the match was delayed after Genoa’s goalkeeper tested positive
  • Officials in Italy are discussing how best to combat virus outbreaks in Serie A
  • A two-week postponement this weekend would only disrupt one round of games

Serie A could be suspended for two weeks after 14 team members and staff tested positive for coronavirus at Genoa. 

Genoa were thrashed 6-0 by Napoli on Sunday and, according to La Repubblica,  Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli team will now all have to isolate until they have returned negative tests after facing Genoa.

Genoa are scheduled to play Torino on Saturday while Napoli face a hotly anticipated clash against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus on Sunday.

Genoa have returned 14 positive Covid-19 tests after playing Napoli at the weekend

Genoa have returned 14 positive Covid-19 tests after playing Napoli at the weekend

Genoa announced at the weekend that goalkeeper Mattia Perin tested positive for coronavirus

Genoa announced at the weekend that goalkeeper Mattia Perin tested positive for coronavirus 

It is understood the Italian government and the ministry of sport in Italy are working together to decide how best to combat any clusters of the virus in Serie A. 

A suspension is one of the options under consideration, according to Corriere della Sera.

With the international break on the horizon, a two-week pause on Italy‘s elite league would only disrupt the round of matches that are scheduled for this weekend.

Genoa’s defeat by Napoli on Sunday had the kick-off delayed by several hours after Genoa’s first choice goalkeeper, Mattia Perin, tested positive for the virus on Saturday. They later announced that their Denmark midfielder Lasse Schone had also tested positive.

And after the ensuing tests on the rest of the squad, Genoa announced late on Monday that 14 members had the disease.

They said in a statement: ‘After today’s tests, the number of COVID-19 positive employees has risen to 14 team members and staff..

Napoli ran out 6-0 winners against Genoa on Sunday but now face having to isolate

Napoli ran out 6-0 winners against Genoa on Sunday but now face having to isolate

Napoli's next match is scheduled to be against Juventus on Sunday in Serie A

Napoli’s next match is scheduled to be against Juventus on Sunday in Serie A

‘The club has activated all the procedures according to the protocol and informed the authorities. The club will provide updates as the situation evolves.’

Genoa did not name the players affected but the club will push to postpone their upcoming match against Torino, even if the league plays on.

‘I think we will ask for the postponement,’ Genoa sporting director Daniele Faggiano said. ‘We can’t train.’

The Italian Football Federation does not state in its rules how many players in a team need to be infected for a fixture to be postponed. 





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