The wave of match postponements following the death of Pope Francis may not be over yet. After the initial delay of four Serie A fixtures originally scheduled for April 21, the league calendar could face further disruptions.
The five-day national mourning period, declared on Tuesday, will conclude on Sunday, leaving the fate of sporting events planned for Saturday, April 26, hanging in the balance.
Minister of Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, hinted at the likelihood of additional suspensions after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting:
“Saturday’s matches are suspended; as for Sunday, we’ll see…”
This sentiment was echoed by CONI President Giovanni Malagò, who issued a formal statement:
“Following the guidance in today’s DPCM, we invite all National Sports Federations, Associated Disciplines, and Sports Promotion Bodies to suspend any events scheduled for Saturday, April 26, the day of Pope Francis’s funeral. We also recommend observing a minute of silence during all competitive events throughout the week to honor the memory of the Pontiff.”
As of now, Serie A has not officially confirmed the postponement of this weekend’s matches, but sources suggest an announcement is only a matter of time.
Lazio vs Parma: Public Safety Concerns
Among the weekend’s fixtures, Lazio vs Parma is the most directly affected. Scheduled for 8:45 PM on Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico, the match is almost certain to be postponed—regardless of the national mourning—due to major public order concerns.
Security forces will be fully deployed in St. Peter’s Square to manage the large crowds expected for Pope Francis’s funeral, which will be attended by thousands of pilgrims and numerous world leaders. Sunday is not a viable option for rescheduling due to the Youth Jubilee event, also taking place in Rome.
The most likely rescheduling options at this stage are Monday, April 28, or sometime in May.
Other Matches Still in Question
The fate of other matches remains uncertain. In addition to Como vs Genoa, another high-stakes match—Inter vs Roma, scheduled for 6 PM on Saturday—may also be affected. This game could be postponed to Sunday, April 27 at 12:30 PM, allowing Inter coach Simone Inzaghi a three-day window to prepare for their Champions League semifinal first leg against Barcelona, set for Wednesday night in Catalonia.
When Will These Matches Be Played?
Based on Musumeci’s statements, the most likely scenario appears to be that Saturday’s fixtures will be rescheduled to Sunday, with the exception of Lazio vs Parma, which would likely be played on Monday, April 28.
