Italian football matches likely to be played behind close doors due to coronavirus

Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora, on Wednesday, stated that Italian government is likely to have all games be played behind closed doors for next month.

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Closed-door games likely 

While leaving a meeting in Rome on Wednesday, Spadafora confirmed decision and stated that authorities are heading in that direction. "We are heading towards that decision. We will continue all activities, and so will league, but we will respect public health," he told reporters. 

Italian FA has already postponed both Coppa Italia semi-finals - Juventus vs AC Milan and Napoli vs Inter Milan with eight Serie A fixtures also postponed over past two weeks. 

Italian government is likely to close all schools and universities because of virus which has already claimed al least 79 lives in country with at least 2,500 cases. 

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Italian Education Minister, Lucia Azzolina stated that decision to close educational institutes has t been taken but is likely to be decided “in next few hours”.

On Tuesday, Swiss football association stated that all games of Swiss football league have been cancelled until furr tice as a preventive measure to combat spread of Coronavirus. decision was made in a meeting last Friday in Bern. 

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A release by Swiss football read, " 20 clubs discussed various solutions intensively and decided to definitely postpone championship rounds 25 and 26, which were scheduled within ban on events on March 15th by authorities. If ban on events is extended, clubs have already decided to postpone round 27 as a precaution. If ban on events is lifted, round 27 can be held in front of an audience as planned."

Earlier, local association had thought of playing matches behind closed doors. However, that decision was t taken since re were alternate dates available and that it was t ecomically viable.

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