Football On The Front Line For A Safe Return To Play

• Published date: 12 May 2020
• Author: Mr Luca Ferrari and Jacopo Liguori
• Subject Matter: Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Sport, Operational Impacts and Strategy
• Law Firm: Withers LLP

The world of sport is trying to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Italian Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora has asked all the Italian sports federations to set out the measures they intend to apply in light of a resumption of activity.

The Italian volleyball and basketball federations announced the definitive cancellation of all championships for each competition and division: this important decision involves significant consequences for all athletes, their staff supporters, as well as the clubs who will face financial losses.

On the other hand, football is struggling to find a way to restart. A realistic outcome - especially from the health point of view - does not include crowds in stadiums watching a football match. The football championship had its last game on 9 March before being stopped by the authorities. These are exceptional circumstances given that not even the spread of cholera in 1973 forced the authorities to suspend matches. We actually have to go back to 1915, when Italy entered the First World War, to find a similar situation.

FIGC protocol

After a few weeks of suspension, the Italian football federation FIGC (Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) has brought together the Federal Medical Commission with infectious diseases experts, to analyse and define a resumption guarantee protocol.

Gabriele Gravina, president of FIGC, has highlighted that the purpose of the Federation is to protect the health of athletes, referees and staff members. The federal president stressed that football has extraordinary needs due to the economic benefit it generates and to its large media exposure. This includes responsibilities towards the clubs. The exact definition of the dangers is important in order to identify priorities and to limit potential risks.

After a series of videoconference meetings, the commission produced a health guarantee protocol for the resumption of training. This aims as a second step to restart the professional championships. The protocol provides a series of prescriptions and recommendations to identify and conserve a team group.

The suggested anit COVID measures - preventing screenings

Players, as well as technical staff, doctors, physiotherapists, warehouse workers and anyone who has to work closely with the players form a team group. COVID-19 tests must show negative results for all of them.

Each club, indeed, has to provide an initial screening 72-96 hours before the first day of training for the whole team...