Football
Reuters 4y

Serie A campaign could be spread over two seasons - FIGC president

The 2019-20 Serie A campaign could be spread over two seasons in order to bring the league to a conclusion after it was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, president of the Italian football federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, has said.

All sports events in Italy have been put on hold until April 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak, putting the completion of the Italian football season in doubt.

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At a FIGC meeting on March 10, the body said that the option of holding playoffs to decide the champion and relegated teams was being considered, as well as declaring the current standings as final or not declaring a champion at all. But with Italy in complete lockdown to fight the spread of the virus, it is looking increasingly likely that the suspension of football matches will be extended.

There are 12 rounds of league action left to be completed, although eight Serie A teams have 13 fixtures remaining.

"If it isn't possible to bring the leagues to a conclusion, we will opt for other decisions," Gravina told Radio 1 Rai.

"It isn't ruled out that the current season could be spread out over two different seasons.

"I understand that there is a lot of curiosity, but today nobody is in a position to say what our future holds."

A number of players in Serie A have tested positive for the coronavirus, including Juventus defender Daniele Rugani. Sampdoria midfielder Fabio Depaoli became the 10th player in the league to test positive and the sixth from his club.

Italy has been one of the hardest hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic, with sports around the world coming to a virtual standstill as governments look to prevent the spread of the disease.

All of Europe's major football leagues have suspended play, as has MLS in the United States and, as of Sunday night, Liga MX in Mexico. Top U.S. sports leagues like the NBA and NHL have also suspended play and on March 12 the NCAA cancelled the annual men's and women's basketball tournaments.

Gravina also said that he will back calls for Euro 2020 to be postponed when representatives of national federations, European leagues and clubs hold an emergency video-conference call on Tuesday.

European club football has ground to a halt as countries across the continent look to stop the spread of the virus.

Euro 2020, which is set to start on June 12 and take place for a month across 12 different nations, could be pushed back by a year to give the national leagues a chance to finish.

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