Covid-19: Serie A was almost 'called off' but we kept to medical protocol - Spadafora

Vincenzo Spadafora. Photo: Stefano Montesi - Corbis/ Getty Images

The 2019-20 Serie A season concludes today, but Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora confirms the Government ‘genuinely thought it would be called off.’

Italy was the first European country to be hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore also the first league to lock down in March, followed swiftly by the other major divisions.

While Ligue 1 was halted early and never resumed, Serie A did eventually get back on track in June.

“The longest Serie A season in history closes today, in the most difficulty year for our country in recent times,” Minister for Sport Spadafora told news agency ANSA.

“We were faced with weeks and months in which every certainty was put up for debate, in which our only thought was how we could deal with this pandemic, increase the number of intensive care beds and save as many lives as possible.

“In those weeks, we genuinely thought the season would be called off, but thanks to the prudent approach we maintained and the strict medical protocol put in place by the FIGC – who we thank – we managed not only to restart, but above all to complete the season.

“My sincere congratulations go to Juventus for their ninth consecutive Scudetto, and to Ciro Immobile for equalling Gonzalo Higuain’s record and with his 36 goals winning the Golden Shoe as the top European marksman.

“Now our thoughts go to the next few months, because all the competitions have to resume only in absolute safety at all levels.”football-italia