Minister Musumeci announces Saturday championship suspension

In a surprising turn of events, Italy’s Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, Nello Musumeci, has officially announced the suspension of all Saturday football matches across the country. This decision comes as part of the five-day national mourning period following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

In Short

National mourning impacts Serie A schedule

Minister Musumeci made the announcement on April 22, stating: “The five days of national mourning begin today and will last until Pope Francis’s funeral. Serie A? Saturday’s football championship matches are suspended.” This declaration has sent shockwaves through the Italian football landscape, forcing major scheduling changes for the 34th round of Serie A matches.

Three significant Serie A fixtures originally scheduled for Saturday, April 26 have been affected: Como vs Genoa (15:00), Inter vs Roma (18:00), and Lazio vs Parma (20:45). This decision came shortly after the Council of Ministers meeting at Palazzo Chigi, where officials established protocols for the national mourning period.

The Italian football authorities are now scrambling to find alternative dates for these matches. The most likely scenario is that Inter’s clash with Roma will be rescheduled for Sunday, April 27 at 15:00, according to sources close to the Lega Serie A. This high-profile match, which could have significant implications for the title race and European qualification spots, follows Juventus’ recent 2-0 victory over Udinese in Serie A that shifted momentum in the championship race.

For betting enthusiasts tracking these championship developments, these sudden schedule changes create both challenges and opportunities when analyzing match conditions and team preparation time. The unexpected shifts might influence performance metrics that typically inform predictive models.

Wider impact across Italian football divisions

The suspension extends beyond Serie A, affecting multiple football divisions throughout Italy. Serie B promptly responded to the government directive by postponing Saturday’s fixtures. League President officially announced that Catanzaro-Palermo and Südtirol-Juve Stabia, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 26, will now take place on Sunday, April 27 at 15:00.

Serie C has similarly adjusted its schedule, with the Lega Pro deciding to reschedule all Saturday matches from the Group C’s final round of regular season games to Sunday, April 27 at 20:00. The affected matches include Messina-Juventus Next Gen, Cerignola-Latina, Avellino-Altamura, Picerno-Foggia, Cavese-Sorrento, Giugliano-Benevento, Potenza-Catania, and Trapani-Casertana.

Giovanni Malagò, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), has called on all sports federations to suspend sporting events scheduled for Saturday, April 26, coinciding with Pope Francis’s funeral service. Additionally, he has requested that a minute of silence be observed at all sporting events throughout the week to honor the late pontiff.

The statistical implications of these postponements are significant for those who rely on data-driven approaches to match analysis. Teams facing altered rest periods and modified preparation routines often demonstrate performance variations that advanced analytical tools can help identify.

Pope Francis’s connection to football

Pope Francis was well-known for his passionate support of football, particularly Argentine club San Lorenzo. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, he was a lifelong fan of the club before ascending to the papacy in 2013. His connection to the sport added a personal dimension to the football world’s response to his passing.

In a touching tribute, San Lorenzo posted on social media: “From childhood to adulthood… From priest to cardinal… From Pope to forever… His passion for Ciclón was always evident.” The club revealed his membership number was 88235 and is now considering renaming their stadium “Papa Francisco” in his honor.

The football community has responded with numerous tributes, including one from Lionel Messi, who emphasized the Pope’s accessibility and connection to ordinary people. Milan coach Sergio Conceicao shared his personal thoughts during a press conference, saying, “I am a practicing Catholic, I attend Mass daily, and for me, the Pope was an extraordinary, exceptional man. We will miss his words and his gaze.”

While the sudden schedule changes have sparked some fan frustration, particularly among those who had arranged travel and purchased tickets, the decision reflects the profound impact of Pope Francis’s death on Italian society. The Pope’s funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 in Vatican City.

Looking ahead to the revised football calendar

Despite the Saturday suspensions, matches scheduled for Friday, April 25 and Sunday, April 27 are expected to proceed as planned. Friday’s fixture between Atalanta and Lecce (20:45) remains unchanged, as do Sunday’s matches: Venezia-Milan (12:30), Fiorentina-Empoli (15:00), Juventus-Monza (18:00), and Napoli-Torino (20:45).

The rescheduling of postponed matches presents a significant challenge to league officials, who must maintain the integrity of competition while dealing with an already congested calendar. The situation is particularly complex for teams still involved in European competitions, as additional fixture congestion could impact performance levels across multiple tournaments.

Some clubs, including Lazio, have expressed concerns about the quick turnaround between matches. Club president Claudio Lotito reportedly sent a letter protesting the decision to maintain their Wednesday fixture against Genoa, citing inadequate recovery time for players. However, league officials emphasized the need to ensure championship regularity by having all postponed matches played simultaneously when possible.

For Serie B, the league has already determined that the postponed 34th round matches will be played on Tuesday, May 13, after what was originally scheduled as the final matchday on May 9. This adjustment has consequently pushed back the dates for promotion playoffs and relegation playout matches.

The basketball federation has also suspended all games scheduled for Saturday, April 26, demonstrating how this period of national mourning has impacted the broader Italian sporting landscape beyond football alone.