Express
Italy’s training base on the outskirts of Florence was hit by a COVID-19 outbreak scare after three members of the media tested positive for coronavirus. Reports have detailed the speed in which the Italian FA moved to prevent the risk of further spread ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.
The Azzurri beat Spain on penalties in Tuesday night’s semi-final in London before heading back to their homeland.
According to The Sun, two technicians allegedly tested positive in London and were instructed to isolate immediately.
Another reporter then returned a positive test at the training camp in Coverciano.
Italian officials did not waste any time in strengthening the bubble protecting the players and the staff, with none understood to have been affected.
A series of further tests were carried out as a precautionary measure following the scare.
A spokesperson from the Italian FA said: “It’s not the ideal preparation for the team and we are making sure that none of them are infected but we are taking no chances and tests are being carried out.
“The chance of infection with any of the team is small but we want to be sure.
“It means that training sessions with the media in attendance have all been cancelled and we are having to make other arrangements.”
It has also been reported that all of the players and Roberto Mancini have already received both of their vaccinations.
Italy will continue to operate carefully in the build-up to the final this weekend.
They are already without Leonardo Spinazzola who ruptured his Achilles tendon in their quarter-final win over Belgium last week in Munich.
Any player who was to test positive would now miss the final and anyone who has been in close contact would also have to isolate.
Mancini’s side are now 33 matches unbeaten, a streak that dates all the way back to 2018.
Ahead of the match, Italy will be using Tottenham’s training ground for their final preparations.
England have used those very facilities during the tournament in between their Group D matches with Scotland and Czech Republic.
The UK government has now refused to sign off allowing a full crowd for the final, with over 60,000 spectators expected to be in attendance.
This news originally appeared in Express.
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