RateTheRef

Since Italy seems to be about a fortnight ahead of the rest of Europe, it may be worth looking at what has happened there, if only to avoid repeating some of the mistakes.  The last ten days or so have been chaotic, largely because of different views held by the government (and individual ministers within the government), the Italian FA, Serie A (and its individual clubs) and the Players' Union.  I gather some meetings of the Serie A clubs have been quite fiery.  There was a particularly chaotic situation at the Parma – SPAL game due to be played behind closed doors yesterday lunchtime: just as the players were about to enter the field of play, word arrived that the Minister of Sport wanted the game to be postponed, a view shared by the Players' Union (though not necessarily by the players themselves).  The League, however, wanted the game to go ahead, possibly of the issue of television payments, and after about 90 minutes of uncertainty their view prevailed.  I'm not sure that the presence of the SPAL players was strictly legal, since yesterday's government decree forbids all but essential travel between the quarantined zone (including Parma) and the rest of the country (including Ferrara, where SPAL are based).   

If only because of these quarantine rules, it now seems likely that Serie A, along with other professional sporting competitions, will be suspended sine die (to resurrect a traditional football phrase).  I have seen it suggested that if the season has to end here, the title will not be awarded, relegation will be suspended, but two teams will be promoted from Serie B, creating a competition of 22 teams.  But I am not convinced that will actually happen.