Coronavirus: imbroglio around a possible suspension of the Italian football championship

The scene is surreal. One minute before the start of Parma - SPAL, on the 26th day of Serie A, the players of the two teams are getting ready to enter the field ... before turning around and going back to the locker room . The reason: an emergency call from Vincenzo Spadofara, Italian Minister of Sports, who called for the suspension of the championship due to the coronavirus.

Thus, the meeting, which was to be played behind closed doors at 12:30 p.m., was delayed, in the most total confusion. "While we are asking citizens to make enormous sacrifices to prevent the spread of contagion, it makes no sense to jeopardize the health of players, referees, supportive managers, who will surely come together to watch the matches, "said Spadafora.

However, the two teams made their appearance on the lawn, three quarters of an hour later. Serie A does not seem suspended. The kick-off for the match should be at 1:45 p.m. Four other meetings, including the Juventus - Inter shock, scheduled for 8:45 pm after being postponed last week, are to be held this Sunday.

Il Calcio d'Inizio di Parma - SPAL è programmato alle ore 13.45. # MaiSola #ForzaSPAL

As a reminder, Italy, with more than 5,880 cases and 233 deaths, is with Iran and South Korea one of the countries most affected, apart from China. Faced with the rapid evolution of the epidemic, the Italian government took decree this Sunday exceptional measures to contain millions of Italians living in the north of the country, valid until April 3.

VIDEO. Coronavirus: Milan, Venice, Parma… Conté puts northern Italy under cover

The movements of at least 15 million Italians will be strictly limited to the entry and exit of these territories, and within this zone. Travel will only be possible in response to "duly verified professional requirements and emergency situations, for health reasons". The Italian government thus orders the quarantine of a quarter of the population living in the North, and the closure of cinemas, theaters, nightclubs and museums throughout the country.