It’s official. The Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg games Roma vs Sevilla and Inter Milan versus Getafe have been postponed as the Coronavirus alert continues to affect the world. The games were scheduled for Thursday 12 March 2020.
UEFA confirmed in a statement that “As a result of the travelling restrictions between Spain and Italy imposed yesterday by the Spanish authorities, the following UEFA Europa League Round of 16 matches will not take place as scheduled tomorrow, 12 March 2020.”
• Sevilla FC (Spain) – AS Roma (Italy)
• FC Internazionale (Italy) – Getafe CF (Spain)
Further decisions on the two matches will be communicated in due course.
Here is the situation. AS Roma reported that they will not travel to Spain for the Europa League match against Sevilla because the plane from Italy was not authorized to land in Spain.
Inter also making the official announcement regarding the postponement of the game against Getafe.
As a result of the travelling restrictions between Spain and Italy imposed yesterday by the Spanish authorities, the following #UEL matches will not take place as scheduled tomorrow.
🇪🇸 Sevilla – AS Roma 🇮🇹
🇮🇹 Internazionale – Getafe 🇪🇸
The Coronavirus – COVID 19 outbreak in Italy, especially, in the Northern area continues. The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) have called for all sporting events to be stopped until at least April 3, 2020. The CONI has authority over all Italian sports federations.
The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday 9 March 2020 announced that the Serie A football league, along with all sporting events in the country, will be suspended until April 3. For the moment, the Serie A has stopped after completing the Week 26 on Monday with Sassuolo 3 – 0 Brescia played behind closed doors.
Reportedly, there are about 6000 Coronavirus cases across the country. The Serie A Standing sees Juventus leading with 63 points, Lazio with 62, and Inter with 54. The only games, so far, that will take place behind closed doors are the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Juventus vs Lyon, second leg on March 17 in Turin.
UEFA Europa League, Inter vs Getafe on Thursday 19 March at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan.
UEFA Europa League Round of 16, AS Roma vs Sevilla on Thursday 19 March at the Olimpico di Roma Stadium in Rome.
Italy is reported to be the second most affected country after China where the virus originated.
Viste le misure urgenti in materia di contenimento per la diffusione del virus COVID 19, il Presidente @giomalago ha indetto una riunione straordinaria alle ore 15 in Sala Giunta con le Federazioni degli sport professionistici e degli sport di squadra.
By Anna Italia
