The scheduling of several Serie A matches, including the highly anticipated Roma vs. Lazio derby and four other games involving top clubs like Milan, Juventus, Napoli, and Como, remains uncertain. This is due to a recent decision by the TAR tribunal, which has sent the matter back to the Prefect and Lega Serie A for further negotiation.
The situation has been marked by further delays after local authorities and Lega Serie A failed to reach a consensus. The football association then filed an emergency appeal with the TAR tribunal.
The tribunal’s response, received recently, was not a definitive ruling but rather an invitation for the Prefect and Lega Serie A to independently come to an agreement. A crucial meeting is scheduled for tonight, with time running out to secure a final decision.
The uncertainty has plunged the league into chaos heading into this weekend, with ten teams unsure of their matchday and kickoff times for Week 37. This is critical because the final two rounds of the season must be played simultaneously to ensure fair competition, especially when league standings are at stake.
Reasons Behind the Week 37 Scheduling Difficulties
The tight race for Champions League qualification means that matches such as Roma-Lazio, Como-Parma, Genoa-Milan, Juventus-Fiorentina, and Pisa-Napoli must all commence at the same time. The primary obstacle is the clash between the Roma vs. Lazio fixture at the Stadio Olimpico and the Italian Open tennis men’s singles final at the nearby Foro Italico, scheduled for Sunday at 16:00 UK time (17:00 CEST).
The potential for a massive influx of sports fans into the same vicinity was deemed a safety concern by the local authorities, prompting the Prefect to order the football match be rescheduled to Monday at 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST).
However, Lega Serie A maintained its preference for a Sunday 11:30 UK kickoff (12:30 CEST). Following the breakdown of negotiations with the Prefect, the league appealed to the TAR tribunal.
Today, the tribunal has returned the decision-making authority to the Lega and local authorities, urging them to resolve the issue collaboratively.