Serie A’s shutdown on matches has extended to several more regions in Italy after prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced that sporting events in the north of the country would be suspended.
Inter Milan’s home match against Sampdoria at San Siro was postponed on Sunday amid fears of the spread of coronavirus, along with Torino v Parama, Verona v Cagliari and Atalanta v Sassuolo.
Although the suspension of sporting events initially only applied to Sunday’s games in the Veneto and Lombardy regions, the order was extended last night.
The Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria and Friuli regions are also now part of the shutdown, which applies until midnight on March 1.
Fans have been taking precautions at matches that have taken place in other regions of the country, while Barcelona players will be tested when they arrive in the country for their Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday.
Inter’s Europa League second-leg clash with Ludogorets at home on Thursday is also in doubt.
Over 600 fans of the Bulgarian club are expected to travel to Milan for the game and the clubs are currently speaking about the situation.
UEFA released a statement, saying they have been ‘in touch with Inter and with local authorities on the matter and there is no further comment to be made at this stage.’
AC Milan’s Women’s Serie A game against Fiorentina was also called off on Sunday, as was Italy’s Women’s Six Nations clash against Scotland
Only one game in the Liguria region is currently scheduled to go ahead, a Serie B fixture between Entella and Crotone on Friday evening.
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