Torino FC received an automatic 3-0 loss against Lazio after they failed to show up at the Stadio Olimpico for their scheduled fixture last week.
The Turin-based club is recovering from a coronavirus outbreak within their squad; after postponing their match against U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Torino wouldn’t see that done for their next fixture against Lazio.
Health officials in Turin didn’t permit Torino to travel for the match, which led to a forfeit. Lazio showed up to the stadium and announced their line-up before officially abandoning the fixture 45 minutes after its scheduled kick-off.
Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina spoke to Radiosei (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) on whether Torino and Lazio should play the match. Also, rather than answering the question directly, the president stated that it’s up to the sports judge to decide on the matter.
Should Lazio-Torino be played? The sports judge will decide. I will limit myself to saying that the protocol also provides for force majeure. The priority of our domestic jurisdiction over state laws and rights cannot be suppressed. Of course, it could be better, but I won’t tire of repeating something if the ASL assessments were uniform throughout the country…
It will be interesting to see whether the fixture does occur or if the 3-0 result stands in the record books for Serie A this season.
