Brescia owner Massimo Cellino slams efforts to finish the Serie A season

Published on: 02 April 2020

Brescia president Massimo Cellino has hit out at his fellow Serie A chiefs who are insistant on resuming the current Serie A campaign amid the coronavirus crisis.

Italy is the worst affected country in the world by the outbreak, with 13,155 deaths so far and 110,574 cases recorded to date.

UEFA announced on Wednesday that they have suspended the Champions League and Europa League entry for the 2020-21 season indefinitely, with a view to helping European leagues reach a conclusion this season.

No top flight across Europe has yet taken the decision to end their season, with leagues looking for solutions to finish campaigns in order to avoid heavy losses through broadcasting fulfillments.

But in a fierce interview with 'Gazzetta dello Sport' he lashed out against the possible restarting of the championship.

'This Serie A season no longer makes sense,' said the former Leeds owner. 'We have stopped, no team will return as before, the stadiums would play matches behind closed doors, there is also a risk for the health of the athletes.

For me, going back to work is pure madness. If they force us, I am willing to withdraw the team and lose matches 3-0 without appearing on the field out of respect for the citizens of Brescia and their loved ones who are no longer there.'

Cellino also has two formal doubts about the calendar that Figci would like to propose to all the clubs:

"He can't let anything slip in the summer: the season closes on June 30th for the presentation of club budgets and player contracts. They are all arrogant and irresponsible: they only think about their economic interests and the Cups.

To resume, Serie A must end by June 30 and not go beyond this deadline. How can we play every two days? Or UEFA also has the power to extend the days and turn them into 72 hours? If UEFA wants to do something useful, send oxygen cylinders and respirators to Brescia, we would be grateful.'

Cellino has already had run-ins with some of Serie A's top brass over the drive to deliver an end to the season.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has seen his side involved in a title race with Juventus and is desperate to give his the opportunity to vie for the title.

Brescia are rock-bottom of the table and their president has been accused of attempting to save his side from relegation by advocating for the season to be deemed null and void - a claim he rejects.

'"You don't want to play to save yourself," - Lotito shouted these words at me. He will do everything because he thinks he can win the championship.

I don't give a damn about coming back. I make a general plea. Concluding the season in June is an impossible and risky tour de force.

'To prolong the season you would have to change all national and international rules: player contracts, balance sheets, deadlines with banks, transfer market, preparation, start of the new season. It would be absolute chaos.'

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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