Inter Milan players warm-up for match at Bologna, despite the match being postponed

Talk about utter chaos and confusion

Inter Milan's players were forced to warm-up for their Serie A match at Bologna on Thursday, despite the Bologna players being in quarantine and the referee postponing the game. With an increase in Covid-19 cases in the Bologna squad, the local health authority (ASL) placed the team into quarantine for seven to 10 days from Wednesday. However, because Serie A are currently refusing to postpone matches, Inter were forced to turn up and train at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara and prepare for the fixture as normal. Despite no Bologna players or staff being present at the stadium, match officials even inspected the pitch and tested the goal-line technology.

Speaking about the situation, Inter director Beppe Marotta said the current system is not working.

"The situation is chaotic," he told Sky Sport Italia. "Games have been postponed by local health authorities who decided independently.

"Bologna were ready to play and they suffered the situation from ASL which have taken this decision to protect everyone's health, but clarity is missing. I would limit the ASL's power otherwise, we'll always face similar situations in the future.

"It is something the Minister of Health must cope with along with our institutions. I hope the vaccine will become mandatory to lower the risks and similar situations in the future."

[caption id="attachment_309956" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Inter Milan players go through the motions at an empty Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. (Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images)[/caption]

Current rules in Serie A see the team who turns up for a match awarded a 3-0 victory, and the club who do not turn up are deducted one point.

It is not the first time that it has occurred in Italy, however. Last season, Juventus were awarded a 3-0 win in a similar situation - only for Napoli to successfully appeal against the decision to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) Guarantee Board. 

There is concern that a similar situation to the one at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara could occur again on Thursday, with three more Serie A matches set to be affected. 

Salernitana - who sit bottom of the table - have nine players that tested positive for Covid and have been placed into a five-day quarantine by their local health authority, but they are due to face Venezia.

Torino - who are set to travel to Fiorentina - and Udinese - who are scheduled to face Atalanta - have also been put in isolation.

Related links:

• Juventus ‘could be relegated and stripped of Serie A title’ over investigation into transfer dealings
• Almost all Serie A players are vaccinated against Covid, compared to half in Premier League
• PL clubs will be forced to field teams for FA Cup third round ties despite Covid issues