MILAN: Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy.
Italy's top flight issued the following statement Monday: "The Serie A league council, meeting today, unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 sporting season, if the government allows it to take place, in full compliance with the rules for the protection of health and safety.
"The resumption of sporting activity, in the so-called Phase 2, will take place in accordance with the indications of Fifa and Uefa, with the decisions of the FIGC as well as in compliance with the medical protocols for the protection of footballers and all professionals."
Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the "incalculable risk" of restarting, AFP reports, quoting Italian media.
Six of the clubs listed are situated in the north of Italy, which has been hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak that has killed over 24,000 people in the embattled European country.
Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with FIGC officials midweek, but he warned he was not sure that Serie A teams can even resume training.
"I am not giving any assurances for the start of the championship or training on May 4, if the conditions for the country do not exist beforehand," Spadafora told Tg2 Post.
"Sport is not just football and it is not only Serie A," he added.
"I will evaluate very carefully, but this must not create the illusion that resuming training means resuming the championship."
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