the Olympic stadium in Rome on August 18, 2018.
AFP
Lazio are being probed for possible violations to
coronavirus health protocols, the Italian Football Federation
announced on Tuesday.
The FIGC said in a statement they had “opened an investigation
into Lazio to ascertain any violations of the health protocols
aimed at containing the Covid-19 epidemic”.
The Serie A club left for Wednesday’s Champions League clash
against Zenit Saint Petersburg without star striker Ciro Immobile,
goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, and midfielder Lucas Leiva.
Italian media report that the absence of the three players, who
also missed last week’s 1-1 draw at Club Brugge, is linked to
coronavirus tests carried out before their planned departure for
Belgium in line with UEFA protocol.
However, Italian international Immobile and Leiva both played in
Sunday’s 4-3 win at Torino after tests carried out by Lazio.
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“We are accustomed to this emergency situation, it saddens me
not to have available the players who fought to reach the Champions
League,” coach Simone Inzaghi told a press conference in Russia,
without specifying whether or not the players were positive for the
coronavirus.
Explanations have already been requested from Lazio management
after two inspections carried out by Italian football authorities
at the team’s training center in the past week.
The FIGC added that it had already asked Lazio for the new tests
carried out before the match against Zenit.
Immobile, the European Golden Shoe winner last season, scored in
Lazio’s opening Group F win over Borussia Dortmund, as the club
returns to the Champions League after a 13-year absence.
AFP