The Serie A match between Bologna and AC Milan, scheduled for Saturday at 18:00 at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, has been thrown into chaos following a unilateral decision by Bologna’s mayor to postpone the game. This move has created a diplomatic crisis among all parties involved, with the Serie A League asserting that the mayor’s ordinance was issued without consulting the Prefect and exceeds the mayor’s authority.
Calciomercato report that the League’s stance is clear: postponement is not an option. Both clubs, Bologna and Milan, along with the Serie A League, want the match to proceed as planned. The League will not issue an official act to postpone the game.
Three potential scenarios have emerged:
1. Bologna could face a 3-0 forfeit loss if the Dall’Ara stadium, which is currently deemed usable, is unavailable.
2. The match could be moved to an alternative venue, such as Verona’s Bentegodi or Como’s Sinigaglia stadium, as directed by the Serie A League.
3. The game might proceed at the scheduled time and location but behind closed doors.
The search for a solution that satisfies all parties, including TV broadcasters, is complicated by an already congested calendar. Any postponement could potentially push the match to March.
Both teams are awaiting a final decision, with Milan maintaining their training schedule at Milanello for tomorrow. The Prefect is expected to meet with Bologna’s mayor tomorrow morning to reach a definitive decision.
This situation has arisen from the mayor’s autonomous ordinance, which appears to have been based on an interpretation of COVID-related regulations for health-based postponements. However, the mayor does not have the authority to cancel matches unilaterally.
