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Juventus v Napoli fails to kick off as scheduled after visitors refuse to travel

Juventus seem likely to be awarded a 3-0 victory over Napoli after Gennaro Gattuso's side did not travel to Turin for Sunday's Serie A match.

By Patric Ridge
Juventus

Turin, October 5: Juventus seem likely to be awarded a 3-0 victory over Napoli after the game was not started as scheduled as Gennaro Gattuso's side did not travel to Turin for Sunday's Serie A match.

Napoli were advised not to travel by local health authorities after Piotr Zielinski, Eljif Elmas and staff member Giandomenico Costi tested positive for COVID-19.

Juve themselves reported two positive cases among staff on Saturday – revealing their squad were isolating internally as a result – but they later released a statement confirming they intended to play the game.

However, four hours before the scheduled kick-off time on Sunday, Serie A rejected Napoli's formal request to have the game postponed, as the club – who also confirmed Gattuso had not tested positive for coronavirus, despite rumours to the contrary – technically have at least 13 players available.

Despite having no opponents to play, Juve still arrived at Allianz Stadium, with Andrea Pirlo naming a starting XI, though the players did not warm up on the pitch or come out at the scheduled kick-off time.
Napoli will conduct a further round of testing on Monday, with their next match set to be played on October 17 against Atalanta.
Story first published: Monday, October 5, 2020, 8:53 [IST]
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