Eight Serie A players along with some staff test positive in pre-training tests

Italian football has been suspended indefinitely since March due to the pandemic, with the country one of the worst-hit in the world. Despite this, after the announcement of Bundesliga’s return from16 May, other leagues have stepped up, working to get back on the field at the earliest.

The first step was to conduct and take part in the pre-training examinations and later it was found that eight Serie A players and three members of club staff have already tested positive with many more tests set to come in the near future.

However, some Serie A clubs have still resumed training in preparation for the season’s return and full team sessions are expected to commence later this month. According to Associated Press journalist Andrew Dampf, four players from Sampdoria, three from Fiorentina and one from Torino have tested positive for coronavirus, although things are still not confirmed completely. Three members of Viola’s staff have also been positively tested.

The news has come as a big blow to the league's plans of resuming football games in the country. The Serie A had been finalized to have a return in June but the presence of infection among the players and staff shows that now is definitely not the time.

A total of seven clubs namely Torino, Sampdoria, Fiorentina wanted the season to be abandoned. However, the league’s governing body are still convinced by the fact that the remaining games will be played. Before the suspension, Serie A was on the road of one of the closest finishes in its history with Juventus on top, while Lazio stood second by a margin of just a single point.

Internazionale were not out of it entirely too, with nine points behind but a game in hand. Though Italy is adamant to complete the campaign, several other leagues across Europe have already ended the season. Belgium, the Netherlands and France have concluded their football seasons.

Bundesliga, which is just a week away from its return will be played behind closed doors.

featured image credits- sportstar.thehindu.com