COVID-19: Italian Serie A to resume training May 18

The Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, has announced that professional sports teams can resume training in the country from Monday, May 18.

The announcement made Sunday by the Prime Minister will be a big relief for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and other players plying their trade in the Serie A.

Action in the Serie A has been suspended since March 9, when the government ordered a nationwide lockdown.

The pandemic began in Italy with the first positive test on February 20 and 26,644 people have since died with conditions related to or made worse by COVID-19.

The death toll over the last 24 hours was ‘only’ 260, the lowest figure since March 14, having reached a peak of 919 on March 27, as the lockdown measures enacted on March 10 have taken effect.

Twelve rounds remain in Serie A, plus four other games that were postponed from the 25th round. The Italian Cup was suspended after the first leg of the semi-finals.

The move means that Serie A could potentially resume playing games in June, though Conte said a decision on that will not be made until a later date.

He said: “I am passionate about football, like many Italians, so it did seem strange that the season could be suspended, but even the most passionate supporters realised there was no alternative.

“Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora will work intensively over the next few days with the experts, scientists and sporting figures to undertake training individually from May 4, in groups from May 18, and then we’ll evaluate if there are the conditions to allow the season to be completed.