Coronavirus: football matches postponed in Italy, future games could take place behind closed doors

Paolo Dal Pino, president of the Lega Serie A, has asked the Italian Government to authorise the organisation of matches behind closed doors in the regions affected by the Coronavirus outbreak, on 24/02/2020. The League has stressed the need to hold matches of the season no later than 24/05/2020, the date on which preparations for Euro 2020 will begin.

The outbreak from China has already led to the postponement of several matches: "Lega Serie A has ordered the postponement of four matches from Matchday 25 of the Serie A TIM scheduled for Sunday 23/02/2020 (Atalanta BC - US Sassuolo Calcio, Hellas Verona - Cagliari Calcio, FC Internazionale Milano - Sampdoria, Torino FC - Parma)," announced the Italian professional league on 23/02/2020. The Lega Serie B also decided to postpone Ascoli - Cremonese (Matchday 25 of the Serie BKT), which was scheduled on Saturday 22/02/2020.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) first appeared in Wuhan (China) in December 2019, and has led to over 77,000 people being infected and the death of more than 2,500 as of 24/02/2020. This epidemic affects Italy (over 200 have…