The Italian soccer federation plans to ask the government to make it mandatory for players in the first division to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The Italian government has ordered a series of restrictions for unvaccinated people and a new decree this week made vaccinations mandatory for employees of law enforcement agencies, the armed forces and schools, among others. Previously, vaccinations were mandatory only for healthcare workers and nursing home employees.
The president of the football federation, Gabriele Gravina, pointed out that he has already asked the association of footballers and the heads of the various leagues in Italy to encourage their members to get vaccinated, but that he could go further.
"We have around 4-5% of players who do not have the green vaccination pass, but for some of them it is because they have received one of those that is not recognized in our country"said Gravina on Thursday "We will see and if the numbers do not keep football safe, we are going to ask the government for an ad hoc decree, like what was done for school employees, for example".
“Apart from all the protocols, if unvaccinated people enter the same locker room as others, the risk is very great. And we cannot afford another debacle after all the sacrifices we have made, “he added.
Italy’s “Green Pass” contains proof of vaccination, a recent negative or COVID-19 result. With the new decree, the government excludes the alternative of showing a negative test to enter certain sites, including sports stadiums, as of December 6.
With the increase in new cases of coronavirus in Europe, and with some stadiums closed again for fans, Italy hopes that the new measures will allow it to keep its stadiums at 75% capacity.
“I agree with the government’s initiative,” Gravina said. “It is the only way to protect our 75% capacity.”
.