JAKARTA - The Serie A season could end without a champion if Italy experienced a second wave of COVID-19. This was stated by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
At a meeting on Monday, discussions focused on using a play-off system or an algorithm to calculate the final standings if a competition cannot be completed. However, this plan was opposed by several clubs.
Serie A will resume on June 20 since it was suspended on March 9 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, the season closing schedule is planned for August 2.
If health and safety concerns affect all the games that ultimately do not finish the season, the system most likely to be used to decide the final league position is the play-offs.
If a play-off system is not possible, an algorithm based on the team's home and away results will be used to calculate the final point total estimate.
Although this method will still determine which teams qualify for European competitions and which are relegated, the Scudetto will not be awarded.
Training in the rain today at JTC! 🌧⚽💪 #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/f98BvziYxf
- JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) June 8, 2020
There are 12 full rounds of Serie A matches still to be played, along with four matches postponed from matchweek 25.
Juventus are top of the table and aim to secure a ninth straight title. They are one point adrift of Lazio which this season has appeared surprising.
#TrainingSession 🔜📋 Domani la squadra sarà in campo alle ore 10: 00➡️ https://t.co/Gu1itoTN1C pic.twitter.com/lP4TomrQM6
- SSLazio (@OfficialSSLazio) June 8, 2020
There's also Inter Milan, eight points behind Lazio in third but six points ahead of Atalanta, who occupy the last Champions League qualifying slot. Meanwhile Lecce, SPAL and Brescia are in the relegation area.
If Serie A does not resume as planned on June 20, the FIGC has set a July 10 deadline to decide whether competition may resume or not.
Piede già 🔥 per il capitano 🤩 # PapuGomez is already on fire! 💥 # GoAtalantaGo ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/rz22u9X9tH
- Atalanta BC (@Atalanta_BC) June 8, 2020
Any club found to be violating the COVID-19 health protocol will face sanctions from the league, ranging from fines to deduction of points or possible expulsion from the championship.
"The seriousness of a violation is assessed on the basis of the risk to the health of players, staff, referees and all workers affected by COVID-19, as well as a determined desire to change the performance or outcome of a game or competition," said a FIGC statement. Launch of the Italian Football, Tuesday, June 9.
Serie A and Serie B are the only divisions in Italy to continue, with the resumption of the women's Serie A season on Monday.
Vicenza, Reggina and Monza - the latter of whom belong to Silvio Berlusconi - will be promoted once Serie C has finished early, with the place of final promotion to be determined via play-offs.
As a result of the calendar reset, FIGC has moved the Italy 2020 transfer window to 1 September to 5 October. The mid-season window will run from January 4 to January 31.
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