Coronavirus: Italy ‘likely’ to ban fans from Serie A games for a month

Vincenzo Spadafora, Italy’s sports minister, says Serie A games may be played behind closed doors for a month, as the country struggles to control the coronavirus outbreak.

Spadafora disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday, outside the Italian government’s headquarters of Palazzo Chigi in Rome, when asked if the government was thinking of barring fans.

“We are heading towards that decision,” Skysports quoted him as saying.

“We will continue all activities, and so will the league, but we will respect public health.”

Eight Serie A league matches have already been postponed over the past two weeks — including potential title decider between Juventus and Inter Milan — as further fixtures are plunged into doubt.

It was ordered by the Italian FA to have both Coppa Italia semi-finals put on hold, with both due to take place the week commencing 2 March.

Italy has been the country with the largest coronavirus outbreak in Europe with 79 deaths so far, including more than 20 in the past 24 hours.

The news comes about the same time the Italian government considers shutting down schools in the country until the middle of March.