{"id":545493,"date":"2020-03-11T07:08:35","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T11:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=545493"},"modified":"2020-03-11T07:08:35","modified_gmt":"2020-03-11T11:08:35","slug":"serie-a-could-be-abandoned-due-to-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/03\/11\/serie-a-could-be-abandoned-due-to-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Serie A Could Be Abandoned Due to Coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Monday, Italy entered a nationwide lockdown to slow the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Following this announcement, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed that all sporting events, including the Serie A<\/a>, would be suspended until at least April 3.<\/p>\n

Serie A could be Abandoned due to Coronavirus<\/h2>\n

Alternative Options<\/h3>\n

FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina, admitted that the season may not finish, and put forward alternative options. These options included holding play-offs, stopping the season at its current position, declaring the season null, or extending the season.<\/p>\n

Play-offs would decide the champions, European qualification and relegation. This would be the first time this occurred since 1964 when Bologna<\/a> and Inter Milan<\/a> were tied at the top of the table at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

If the season were to be ended at its current position, Juventus<\/a> would be crowned champions. This would extend their run to nine times in a row. Juventus are currently only one point ahead of Lazio<\/a> in the standings after a decisive victory in the Derby D’Italia.<\/p>\n

If the season was declared null, this would be the first Serie A season with no champions since the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal in 2004\/05. In 2005, Juve were champions, but their title was revoked after they were found guilty of match-fixing. No alternative champion was named.<\/p>\n

The season might need to be extended. Even if it continues as normal, playing all twelve remaining rounds by May 24 would be a near-impossible task, especially with all the midweek Europa League and Champions League<\/a> fixtures. To get around this, it was proposed to extend the season to May 31.<\/p>\n

Extreme but Necessary Measures<\/h3>\n

Italy is the European country hardest hit by Coronavirus, and they have responded with equally extreme measures. While football can sometimes seem indispensable, it is a disposable luxury in a health crisis of this seriousness. Abandoning a season of Serie A might be the sacrifice needed to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>