Reports: Bologna-Inter to Be Called Off

The arrival of 2022 has brought with it a spout of COVID-19 cases across Serie A and further disruption to the football calendar. Though Inter has just one positive case so far in Edin Dzeko (knock on wood), a virus outbreak at Bologna has thrown Inter’s Thursday fixture with the Rossoblu into question. Though Serie A is yet to officially suspend proceedings, the local health authority has put Bologna under quarantine. Despite the lack of an opponent, Inter will still be required to travel to Emilia Romagna and stand around on the Renato Dall’Ara pitch for forty-five minutes until the game is called as a Bologna forfeit in favor of Inter. But according to the precedent set by the infamous Juventus-Napoli ruling, Bologna will win its appeal and the match will be rescheduled for a later date. This all comes after a Serie A conference Wednesday afternoon, in which the league decided to do *absolutely nothing. This haphazard and comical scene of teams waiting around on empty pitches for an opponent that everyone knew wasn’t going to show up will continue unless the league manages to come up with a new set of protocols and rules. For now, though, that’s looking highly unlikely.

Inter will be back in action Sunday against Lazio, though that could change at any moment. The Nerazzurri’s visit to Bologna will be postponed until a later date.

Let’s hope for a speedy recovery for all of the players affected!