Coronavirus Crisis: Serie A, all sport in Italy halted because of the viral epidemic

The measure was announced as the Italian government stepped up its response to an epidemic that has killed 463 people and infected more than 9,172 others in Italy in the past two weeks.

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis.

Effects of Coronavirus

The final Serie A game before government announcement saw Sassuolo beat Brescia 3-0 behind closed doors in Reggio Emilia on Monday.

After scoring his opening goal Sassuolo striker Francesco Caputo held up a handwritten message on piece of paper, urging fans: "Everything will be fine. Stay at home."

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  "Everything will be fine, stay at home"
  Francesco Caputo is Gargantuan pic.twitter.com/TPjhYvbZEe

  — Mohammed Shahid (@iamafridi7) March 10, 2020

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  "Everything will be fine, stay at home"
  Francesco Caputo is Gargantuan pic.twitter.com/TPjhYvbZEe

  — Mohammed Shahid (@iamafridi7) March 10, 2020

A few hours later the Prime Minister used similar words as he announced a countrywide lockdown.

"I am going to sign a decree that can be summarised as follows: I stay at home," Conte announced in a dramatic evening television address.

The unprecedented measures limiting travel and banning public gatherings across the country of more than 60 million people came after 97 more deaths took Italy's toll to 463.

The measures include the closure of schools, universities and the suspension of sports competitions.

"There is no reason why matches and sporting events should continue and I am thinking of the football championship," said Conte.

"I'm sorry but all the fans must take note of it, we will not even allow gyms to be used for sports activities," he added.

The decree allows the possibility of organising matches under international jurisdiction behind closed doors, such as ties in UEFA's Champions League and Europa League.

A worker sanitises the San Paolo stadium in Naples to prevent the dangers of contagion of coronavirus.

Juventus are due to host Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Turin next week. Inter Milan are due to host Spain's Getafe in the Europa League on Thursday while Roma welcome Sevilla a week later.