Serie A: Coronavirus could impact who wins the title this season

An outbreak of the coronavirus in Italy has unleashed fear and panic, forcing officials to postpone Serie A games and that could impact who wins the title.

It was World War II that ultimately led to the cancellation of the 1944-45 Serie A season. With the Allies and Germany fighting across Europe, Italy lay in tatters after the toppling of dictator Benito Mussolini and Italy ultimately switching sides in the war.

Some 76 years later, Serie A is threatened by another menace: Coronavirus.

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 virus, is a new strain that originated in China that has killed people all over the world. The fear that the virus could spread throughout Italy, after the recent death of two people there, unleashed fear and panic across the country and Europe. Games in China, Japan and South Korea have already been cancelled. This summer’s Olympics are still on as Tokyo officials continue to monitor the situation.

As a result, the government forced Serie A to postpone four league games being played in northern Italy, where two deaths occurred (that number reached 29 this weekend), for fear that it could spread quickly at major public events. The result has been disruption to the league and the tight title race.

What started out as a health epidemic in China could be on its way to becoming a global pandemic. Italy was one of the first countries to see deaths from coronavirus last month. This past Thursday, the second leg of the Europa League match between Inter Milan and Ludogorets of Bulgaria was played behind closed doors with no spectators at the San Siro. Ludogorets players arrived in Milan wearing surgical masks and gloves. Inter won the game, 2-1.

It isn’t the first time in history that a health crisis has impacted sports. The 1918 Spanish flu disrupted sports leagues in the United States and across the world. While the health and safety of everyone is paramount, leagues around the world have to brace themselves for the possibility that the season will be played with no fans. Should things get worse, competitions could be forced to be canceled.

The virus will have a huge impact on Serie A, even if games are to be played. The title race between defending champions Juventus and challenges Lazio and Inter Milan will be hampered should two of these teams (Juve and Inter) be forced to play matches with no fans. Since the outbreak has been limited to the north for now, these two clubs could potentially play all their home games (and some away matches) in empty stadiums.

Sunday’s Juventus-Inter Milan match, arguably the biggest game of the season, was supposed to be played behind closed doors in Turin. Instead, that game, and four others, were moved to May 13.

Serie A president Paolo Dal Pinto had sent a letter to the government last week asking that games no longer be postponed in affected areas, noting there is little time for make-up dates considering all elite soccer competitions must be completed by May 24 because of this summer’s European Championship.

Nonetheless, teams located in the north of Italy, which consists of a majority of the clubs in the 20-team first division, are impacted by this decision. Tinkering with the calendar will impact the season, potentially favoring current league leaders Lazio since they play in Rome and have yet to see any of their matches postponed.

Officials have limited options. Either postpone games or play them with no fans. The importance of the “12th man” in soccer is a very real thing. Fans are loud and can often will their teams to victory. Similarly, they chant and hiss whenever an opponent has the ball. All that can be lost in a sea of empty seats.

It remains to be seen what Italian government officials and the league decides to do going forward. The circumstances surround coronavirus are constantly changing. It could very well be that the outbreak subsides. It could also be that the world sees a health crisis not seen in 100 years. In that case, something like who wins Serie A will matter very little.