Serie A clubs will now be allowed to return to training on Monday, two weeks ahead of schedule, as football continues its attempts to come back from coronavirus chaos.
The Italian government had initially decreed that only athletes from individual sports would be allowed to recommence training from this Monday, with team sports scheduled for May 18.
But a decision from the regional assembly of Emilia-Romagna to bring their date forward resulted in a change of heart from national interior minister Matteo Piantedosi, who has now stated that training grounds can be opened providing that social distancing guidelines are followed.
Italian publications Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport both carried a note signed by Piantedosi, which read: “Athletes and non-athletes of non-individual disciplines, like every citizen, are allowed to participate in individual sports in public or private areas, respecting the interpersonal safety distance of at least two metres."
The decision in Emilia-Romagna had meant initially that just four Serie A clubs were planning to return on Monday - Sassuolo, Bologna, Parma and SPAL.
A Sassuolo statement read: "Players will only be allowed access to the pitches in compliance with rules of social distancing, while access to the Sports Center will be prohibited.
"The individual sessions, which will take place during the mornings from Monday to Friday, with the use of three fields, with six players per hour (one player for each half of the pitch), will not be attended by the technical staff, while an emergency health supervision will be guaranteed."
Training is only open to those players who have been in Italy during lockdown, with any player returning from outside of the country - such as Cristiano Ronaldo - forced into quarantine for two weeks.
There are still thought to be numerous obstacles to overcome to ensure Serie A starts again, with Juventus currently sitting one point ahead of Lazio at the top.
