In what comes as shocking news in the world of football, the Italian Football Association FIGC has launched an investigation into Serie A giants Lazio over suspicion for violating health protocols related to COVID-19.&nbsp;

Reportedly, three players in Ciro Immobile, Thomas Strakosha and Lucas Leiva were tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus and were barred from playing in UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge. However, the trio went onto play in a Serie A match against Torino, several days later in the Serie A. Lazio won the match 4-3 with Immobile scoring the winning goal.&nbsp;

The FIGC has now requested the results of the test conducted for COVID-19.

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Lazio president Claudio Lolito and physician Ivo Pulcini have already been interrogated about the incident by the FIGC. According to reports, if Lazio are found guilty of breaching the COVID-19 rules or even manipulating the results of coronavirus tests then the Italian giants could face several penalties including hefty fines, points deduction or even relegation from Serie A.

Reportedly, Lazio had not informed the health authorities about Immobile testing positive for COVID-19. Immobile had tested positive on October 26 and November 2. However, two other tests carried on October 30 and 31 returned negative.

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Lazio then went on to use their skipper and prolific goalscorer last Sunday in the Serie A game against Torino in the second half. Apparently, Lazio have said that striker had very low positivity from the virus from the first test.

Both Immobile and Leiva weren’t allowed to enter Russia for their UCL match against Zenit St. Petersburg. 
Lazio are still awaiting results of Immobile and Leiva for their availability in Serie A match against Juventus.

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In what comes as shocking news in the world of football, the Italian Football Association FIGC has launched an investigation into Serie A giants Lazio over suspicion for violating health protocols related to COVID-19.

In what comes as shocking news in the world of football, the Italian Football Association FIGC has launched an investigation into Serie A giants Lazio over suspicion for violating health protocols related to COVID-19. Reportedly, three players in Ciro Immobile, Thomas Strakosha and Lucas Leiva were tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus and were barred from playing in UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge. However, the trio went onto play in a Serie A match against Torino, several days later in the Serie A. Lazio won the match 4-3 with Immobile scoring the winning goal. The FIGC has now requested the results of the test conducted for COVID-19. ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo to return for Portugal against France, Croatia Lazio president Claudio Lolito and physician Ivo Pulcini have already been interrogated about the incident by the FIGC. According to reports, if Lazio are found guilty of breaching the COVID-19 rules or even manipulating the results of coronavirus tests then the Italian giants could face several penalties including hefty fines, points deduction or even relegation from Serie A. Reportedly, Lazio had not informed the health authorities about Immobile testing positive for COVID-19. Immobile had tested positive on October 26 and November 2. However, two other tests carried on October 30 and 31 returned negative. ALSO READ: Ole out? Manchester United approach Mauricio Pochettino about becoming next manager Lazio then went on to use their skipper and prolific goalscorer last Sunday in the Serie A game against Torino in the second half. Apparently, Lazio have said that striker had very low positivity from the virus from the first test. Both Immobile and Leiva weren’t allowed to enter Russia for their UCL match against Zenit St. Petersburg. Lazio are still awaiting results of Immobile and Leiva for their availability in Serie A match against Juventus.

Lazio to face relegation from Serie A? FIGC launch investigation over alleged COVID-19 report manipulation

Italy's top-tier football league Serie A chief Paolo Dal Pino on Tuesday has tested positive for coronavirus. Gabriele Gravina, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president, has gone into isolation too, as per both organisations' statement.

Italy's top-tier football league Serie A chief Paolo Dal Pino on Tuesday has tested positive for coronavirus. Gabriele Gravina, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president, has gone into isolation too, as per both organisations' statement. "President Paolo Dal Pino tested positive for COVID-19 following a swab carried out yesterday (Monday)," the Italian top-flight said in a statement. "Asymptomatic and in isolation at home, he will follow the procedures set out in the health protocol." As a result of 58-year-old Dal Pino's positive, the FIGC said Gravina, 67, "for prudential purposes, in the absence of symptoms" had also decided to self-isolate. Earlier, defending champions Juventus informed that the entire squad has gone into isolation after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Turin giants confirmed those returning positive tests were "neither players nor members of the technical or medical staff". (Inputs from AFP)

Serie A: League president Dal Pino positive for virus, Gravina in isolation

Italy’s top-flight league Serie A has agreed on June 13 resumption date after completing a video call with all 20 clubs on Wednesday. However, the resumption of Serie A is subject to government approval.&nbsp;

All the clubs have already started their planning to resume full training on May 18 following the Italian government’s approval of league’s medical protocol amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual training has already begun in Italy.

"As far as the resumption of sports activities is concerned, the date of June 13 for the resumption of the championship has been indicated ... in accordance with medical protocols for the protection of players and all those involved," Serie A said in a statement. 
Serie A further stated that the clubs have also asked the broadcasting rights holders to “respect the payment deadlines” in a bid to maintain a healthy relationship with them.

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When the Serie A was suspended in the month of March, Juventus were one point ahead of Lazio in the league standings. While Juventus are eyeing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, Lazio haven’t won the league since 2000.

There are still 12 rounds of matches remaining in Serie A in addition to four postponed matches. The biggest problem for both Serie A and Italian government would be how they deal with players should they test positive to COVID-19.&nbsp;

While the Italian football federation has said that isolating the positive tested player is sufficient, the Italian health ministry has said that the entire squad needs to go into a 14-day quarantine period.&nbsp;

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Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora told the Italian Senate that the government would take its time in providing their decision regarding the return of live football.&nbsp;

"If [Serie A] resumes, as we all hope, it will be because we will have arrived at this decision after an orderly succession of actions and protocols," he said. "It is not possible to decide in an irresponsible hurry.

"Football is by its nature a sport in which it is not possible to keep distances, the players must run and agglomerate in the penalty area.

"The underestimation of this problem led a few weeks ago to the quarantine of several Serie A teams. We want to avoid finding ourselves in this situation."

Meanwhile, the German Bundesliga is set to resume the league on May 16. Whereas La Liga is steadily allowing the more players to train with a hope to restart the league on June 12.

Italy’s top-flight league Serie A has agreed on June 13 resumption date after completing a video call with all 20 clubs on Wednesday. However, the resumption of Serie A is subject to government approval.

Italy’s top-flight league Serie A has agreed on June 13 resumption date after completing a video call with all 20 clubs on Wednesday. However, the resumption of Serie A is subject to government approval. All the clubs have already started their planning to resume full training on May 18 following the Italian government’s approval of league’s medical protocol amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual training has already begun in Italy. "As far as the resumption of sports activities is concerned, the date of June 13 for the resumption of the championship has been indicated ... in accordance with medical protocols for the protection of players and all those involved," Serie A said in a statement. Serie A further stated that the clubs have also asked the broadcasting rights holders to “respect the payment deadlines” in a bid to maintain a healthy relationship with them. ALSO READ: EFL's economic crisis will not be spared behind closed doors When the Serie A was suspended in the month of March, Juventus were one point ahead of Lazio in the league standings. While Juventus are eyeing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, Lazio haven’t won the league since 2000. There are still 12 rounds of matches remaining in Serie A in addition to four postponed matches. The biggest problem for both Serie A and Italian government would be how they deal with players should they test positive to COVID-19. While the Italian football federation has said that isolating the positive tested player is sufficient, the Italian health ministry has said that the entire squad needs to go into a 14-day quarantine period. ALSO READ: Ex-Argentina attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi makes sex video blackmail complaint Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora told the Italian Senate that the government would take its time in providing their decision regarding the return of live football. "If [Serie A] resumes, as we all hope, it will be because we will have arrived at this decision after an orderly succession of actions and protocols," he said. "It is not possible to decide in an irresponsible hurry. "Football is by its nature a sport in which it is not possible to keep distances, the players must run and agglomerate in the penalty area. "The underestimation of this problem led a few weeks ago to the quarantine of several Serie A teams. We want to avoid finding ourselves in this situation." Meanwhile, the German Bundesliga is set to resume the league on May 16. Whereas La Liga is steadily allowing the more players to train with a hope to restart the league on June 12.

Serie A agrees on June 13 resumption after meeting with all 20 clubs

Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy.

"The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, if the government allows it to take place," Italy's top flight said in a statement

It added that any resumption will take place "in accordance with regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA" and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and "in compliance with medical protocols to protect the players".

Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the "incalculable risk" of restarting, according to reports in Italy.

Six of those clubs are situated in the north of Italy which has been hardest hit by a virus which has killed over 24,000 people.

No football has been played in Italy since March 9 with the current lockdown measures in the country extended to May 3.

Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with FIGC officials midweek, but he warned he was not sure that Serie A teams can even resume training.

"I am not giving any assurances for the start of the championship or training on May 4, if the conditions for the country do not exist beforehand," Spadafora told Tg2 Post.

"Sport is not just football and it is not only Serie A," he added.

"I will evaluate very carefully, but this must not create the illusion that resuming training means resuming the championship."

Meanwhile, Torino's team doctor Rodolfo Tavana, who held the position of the Serie A's representative on the FIGC's medical commission,&nbsp;resigned on Monday.

Tavana was appointed to the commission to help formulate the protocol for the resumption of football.

Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy.

Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy. "The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, if the government allows it to take place," Italy's top flight said in a statement It added that any resumption will take place "in accordance with regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA" and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and "in compliance with medical protocols to protect the players". Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the "incalculable risk" of restarting, according to reports in Italy. Six of those clubs are situated in the north of Italy which has been hardest hit by a virus which has killed over 24,000 people. No football has been played in Italy since March 9 with the current lockdown measures in the country extended to May 3. Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with FIGC officials midweek, but he warned he was not sure that Serie A teams can even resume training. "I am not giving any assurances for the start of the championship or training on May 4, if the conditions for the country do not exist beforehand," Spadafora told Tg2 Post. "Sport is not just football and it is not only Serie A," he added. "I will evaluate very carefully, but this must not create the illusion that resuming training means resuming the championship." Meanwhile, Torino's team doctor Rodolfo Tavana, who held the position of the Serie A's representative on the FIGC's medical commission, resigned on Monday. Tavana was appointed to the commission to help formulate the protocol for the resumption of football.

Serie A commits to finishing season after virus lockdown

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August.

All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

"We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte.

"It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible."

The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2.

A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future.

"There are many issues," said Gravina.

As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted.

"This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options."&nbsp;

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics. "We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte. "It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible." The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2. A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future. "There are many issues," said Gravina. As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted. "This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options."

Italian football chief ready to finish season in August