Casertana forced to play with nine men due to the Covid-19 outbreak

Casertana

had to play with nine men or face punishment after 15 members of their squad were tested positive for Covid-19.

The club also claimed that some of the players who were present in the game had symptoms of the Virus, but they were tested negative before the game.

A hard-hitting statement from the club reads: “

These are difficult days, full of fear and concern for all Casertana FC members as well as for their families

.

“We have a squad decimated by a dangerous and devious virus. As many as 15 positive for Covid-19 cases have been present.

“In the presence of a situation, the dynamics of competition and agonism should leave room for pragmatism. And, instead, a few hours before kick-off of the match on the 16th matchday of the Serie C championship, Casertana FC is forced to take note of the refusal of US Viterbese 1908 to reschedule the fixture in the face of logic that should have made this an inevitable postponement, and the Lega Pro itself, which did not consider a postponement necessary.

“In compliance with Article 48, paragraph 3 of the NOIF (Italian Football Federation internal rules) which states: 'The obligation to field the best team allowed by one's own technical situation,' Casertana FC is forced to take the field against Viterbese with fewer players than 11.

"To this it must be added that some of them are feverish, although they returned negative results in the last cycle of tests. It is a danger to themselves and to others.

“We would have wished for greater respect for the real protagonists of this sport, those who go out on the pitch every day and who give their families a living thanks to what is a real job.

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