Concern for Italy squad as TV crew tests positive for Covid-19

Thee crew members have apparently tested positive for Covid-19

As per reports, it is believed that at least three members of Italy's national public broadcaster have contracted coronavirus after testing positive. The results have raised concerns as to whether members of the Italian team have been exposed to the infected individuals, with yesterday's scheduled face-to-face press conference having been cancelled. The three Rai employees (Radio Audizioni Italiane) - the equivalent of our BBC - include reporter Alberto Rimedio and two TV technicians, who all returned positive tests after taking a swab test early this morning. While one member is in Coverciano, Florence, where the Azzuri's now closed training camp is located, the two crew members are currently in London after Tuesday's semi-final. This adds raised concern over who may have been in contact with the two employees following Italy's victory. Auro Borrelli, the editor-in-chief of Rai Sport, said “I hope this will be resolved soon,”

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC), were informed of the positive tests in the early hours of the morning, immediately closing the doors to its sports centre to protect both the team and the coaching staff. The Federation quickly sanitised the media centre and offices, frequented by those who tested positive; additionally, the cancelled presser was done remotely via video link instead.

 The players themselves are not worried, as they are all vaccinated, though the federation does fear that the three in question could have been hit with the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Since Rai have been following the Italian national team throughout the tournament, who knows where the virus could have been picked up and who it could have affected, even with the stringent social distancing and anti-covid measures that have been observed throughout the Euros.

The FIGC delegation and the players will leave around 11am tomorrow morning, flying to Luton airport ahead of the game against England. However, the situation is more complicated for Rai, who now have to replace the technicians and the journalist just a day before the match. We just hope everyone recovers well and nothing jeopardises the much anticipated final from being played.