Thursday, March 28, 2024

COVID-19: Italy call for Euro 2020 postponement, 5 Valencia players test positive

As you’re undoubtedly aware, the COVID-19 crisis has caused havoc in the world of sport. There’s virtually no sport left being played across the world as leagues temporarily shut their doors for the safety of their staff and fans.

Everyday there is more news coming through as football federations across Europe attempt to work out how they will go about finishing their seasons and more players actually contract the virus.

Italian Football Federation Call for UEFA to postpone EURO 2020

The 2020 European Championships, which is set to take place across 12 European countries this summer, could potentially be suspended due to fears surrounding COVID-19 – that’s exactly what the Italian Football Federation want.

COVID-19’s impact in Italy has been far worse than it has been in any other European country. The Serie A was the first major league to close their doors having had numerous fixtures played behind closed doors prior that. Now, the entire nation is in lock down as they attempt to stifle the spread.

Now, with the UEFA nations all set to meet via video call tomorrow, Italian Federation president Gabriele Gravina will put forward the proposal to postpone the tournament so that Serie A can finish their season during the summer months.

The expectation is that the major leagues will agree with this. The debate on how to resolve the end of the season in the Premier League has been rife since the announcement that the league was to be suspended. Allowing the leagues to finish during the summer months seems the only logical way to do it.

5 Valencia players test positive for COVID-19

Five players from Valencia have tested positive for COVID-19, including former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala and Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay.

Mangala posted the following on his social media account: “I knew today that I am Coronavirus positive. At the moment, I’m feelling good and I have no symptoms associated with the virus. However, I am confined in house and have no contact with my family.”

Spain have been pretty badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and this week they followed in the footsteps of the Italian government and all but locked the country down.

In terms of football, La Liga was shut down last Thursday when a Real Madrid basketball player tested positive for the virus, thus sending the Madrid football team into isolation.

For now, all we can do is be responsible, stay home if you feel under the weather and wait for all of this to blow over. We will get through all of this, but we need to be sensible with our actions first – let’s look after each other eh?

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