What did Italy’s government agree to regarding football behind closed doors?

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Italy’s Government Approves Serie A Matches Behind Closed Doors Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Italy's government has agreed to permit Serie A football matches to proceed without spectators in regions affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This decision was made following a formal request from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to ensure the continuity of the sporting competition. Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora confirmed that while general sporting events were banned in affected areas until Sunday, specific matches could be played behind closed doors to avoid fixture postponements.
Serie A Fixtures to Proceed Without Fans

Several key Serie A fixtures have been designated to be played without an audience. These include matches such as Udinese versus Fiorentina, AC Milan against Genoa, Juventus versus Inter Milan, Parma against SPAL, and Sassuolo against Brescia. This measure aims to maintain the integrity of the league schedule, as rescheduling postponed games would present significant logistical challenges due to a limited number of available dates.
Rationale for Behind-Closed-Doors Matches

The FIGC's request to the government was primarily driven by the need to safeguard the sporting competition. The federation highlighted concerns about the scarcity of available dates to reschedule any postponed fixtures, which could disrupt the league's progression. By allowing matches to proceed without fans, the FIGC sought to avoid further complications and ensure that the season could continue as planned, albeit under modified conditions for specific games.
European Competition Also Affected

The directive to play without spectators extends to European club competitions as well. For instance, Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad was informed by UEFA that their Europa League tie against Inter Milan, scheduled to be held in Milan, would be played in an empty stadium. This indicates a broader approach to managing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on major sporting events within Italy, prioritising public health while attempting to minimise disruption to ongoing competitions.

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What did Italy’s government agree to regarding football behind closed doors?

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