Serie A is in turmoil as plans to restart Italian football hang in the balance

It has been six weeks since the Covid-19 pandemic caused the postponement of football across the world and Serie A is still battling with the Italian government over a possible restart.

An almighty row is on the brink of erupting over whether or not the Serie A season will resume or fall by the wayside like France's Ligue 1 and the Dutch Eredivisie.

With the country's lockdown rules set to be eased on May 4, Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora has refused to permit top-flight clubs to return to training.

Athletes from individual sports, such as tennis, will be allowed to train in sports centres and members of the public will be allowed out to exercise but footballers will not be allowed back into their training bases.

The future of Serie A took another blow earlier this week when Spadafora admitted he admired the French for cancelling their league.

Sportsmail looks at everything that is going on in Italy. From when the league will restart, to the likelihood of cancellation, to the player's feelings on the current situation.

When will Serie A restart?

Serie A could resume as early as mid-June, with players heading back to training on May 18 for four weeks of preparation before the league returns.

Games will be staged behind closed doors and with rigorous measures to protect players and staff, according to Italy's leading infectious diseases specialist Giovanni Rezza.

The potential cancellation of the domestic season could have led to dire circumstances for 40 per cent of top-flight Italian clubs.

According to Italian publication La Gazzetta Dello Sport, an enormous debt of £2.3billion (€2.5bn) was racked up by the 20 Serie A sides last campaign and the looming coronavirus pandemic could see close to half of those struggling to overcome the financial ramifications of losing the current season.

The cancellation of the league would also see Italian football lose around £386million (€440m) from loss of TV revenue. Not to mention the added loss of ticket sales and merchandise.

How will training look in order to protect players and staff?

During the coronavirus pandemic, Italian training grounds have been closed to first-team players who have been undertaking work out sessions from home.

However, clubs will be re-opening their training bases on May 18 but will continue to work out individually in order to comply with the government's social distancing guidelines.

It has been reported that squad members will have to adhere to a 47-page document that includes rules such as remaining at least two metres apart during meal times and staying in separate rooms.

Training facilities like the physio room, showers and steam rooms will all be handed with care to prevent any contamination.

How likely is it that Serie A will be cancelled?

If a decision to resume the league is not affirmed by May 4, there is a 75 per cent chance that the Serie A will be cancelled.

Even though Italian FA chief executive Gabriele Gravina is determined to resume the season next month, the government appear more and more sceptical at the chances of doing so.

Spadafora, a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, says he was impressed by France's decision to cancel the remainder of their league.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced football games – even behind closed doors – will not be allowed before September in France.

Spadafora has warned that even beginning training again does not necessarily mean that football will return before next season, stating that: 'The pathway towards a resumption is increasingly narrow. Serie A should prepare a Plan B.'

What are the players saying amid the uncertainty?

Many players and coaches have been frustrated with the lack of communication on the matter as they continue to avoid using their training grounds due to the regulations.

Though many protested against the regulations, they have admitted to being skeptical of the decision to commence in May and play three games a week when the league returns.

As it stands, the plan is for matches to be played every three days until July 12, but players whose contracts expire on June 30 would not be able to take the field.

That surreal situation would, for example, deprive Dejan Kulusevski, who is on loan at Parma and may struggle to get game time at Juventus.

Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens at Napoli would also be hit too, if the two do not decide to renew their contracts.

What is the main take away?

As it stands, the is a 60/40 split as to whether the season will continue or be cancelled.

Correspondents in Italy say that there are plans to reintroduce the league, but there is a shortage of people able to execute it.

That being said, there is a desire on the part of 18 of Italy's top-flight clubs to continue the season but only if safe to do so.