Italia Serie A has postponed three matches originally scheduled for Saturday, including the highly anticipated clash between Inter Milan and Roma, to avoid conflicting with Pope Francis’ funeral.
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday, prompting the Italian government to declare five days of national mourning.
Inter Milan’s match against Roma, a key fixture in the title race, will now be played on Sunday at 13.00 GMT.
The two other affected matches are Como vs. Genoa, now set for Sunday at 10.30 GMT, and Lazio vs. Parma, which will take place on Monday.
Inter Milan, currently level on points with Napoli, faces a packed schedule as they compete in Serie A, the Champions League, and the Italian Cup.
The rescheduling was necessary to prevent large crowds from gathering near Stadio Olimpico, which is just three kilometers from Vatican City.
The surrounding districts, Prati and Della Vittoria, often experience heavy traffic on matchdays, making the adjustment essential for security and logistics.
Tributes and Sporting Adjustments
Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at age 88, had been recovering from double pneumonia before suffering a fatal stroke.
Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) has urged all sports federations to suspend Saturday events and observe a minute’s silence during the mourning period.
Inter Milan, chasing a treble this season, has already played 50 matches and faces a demanding fixture list, including a Champions League tie against Barcelona and an Italian Cup semi-final against AC Milan.
Additionally, four matches from the final round of fixtures, initially set for Monday, will now be played on Wednesday at 18.30 local time (16.30 GMT). This includes Juventus’ trip to Parma, as they continue their push for a Champions League spot.
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