NAPOLI were BANNED from travelling to Turin to play Juventus but the Serie A champs insist the game is still ON.
The Athletic’s James Horncastle reports Napoli were prevented from travelling on Saturday by the local health authority as concerns around Covid-19 mount.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus are set to still play Napoli despite Covid-19 fearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the Old Lady confirmed they will still take to the field tomorrow as planned, despite health concerns.
The club’s account tweeted: “Juventus Football Club announces that the First Team will take to the field for the Juventus – Napoli match tomorrow at 20:45, as foreseen by the Serie A League calendar.”
Napoli’s squad were scheduled to travel up on Saturday night for their Serie A clash on Sunday evening.
But after a Covid crisis at Genoa – Napoli’s most recent opponents – the authorities stepped in.
Genoa returned 22 positive cases with 17 players picking up the virus – the majority of whom took to the field during their 6-0 defeat against Napoli last Sunday.
Two Napoli players plus a member of staff have tested positive for the virus.
Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas are the players to have been identified as positive so far but there could be more to come in the next round of testing.
Juventus also have their own problems amid the pandemic with two members of staff coming down with Covid-19.
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Napoli’s last opponents Genoa have been hit by a huge outbreak of the virusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Napoli’s Eljif Elmas tested positive for Covid-19Credit: EPA
Serie A’s protocol – taken from Uefa – states that games will not be postponed if clubs can field 13 players including a keeper.
But the local health authority jumped in to take decisive action.
Genoa were due to play Torino tonight but the game was postponed, however, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co look set to play as it stands.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
