Serie A Reschedules Weekend Fixtures Following Pope Francis’s Passing

“The rescheduling of matches shows the deep respect Italian sporting authorities have for Pope Francis and recognizes his significant influence beyond religious boundaries.” — Nguyễn Văn Minh, Football Analyst at VnExpress

Serie A has announced the postponement of all Saturday fixtures following the death of Pope Francis, as Italy prepares to honor the late pontiff with a funeral service in Rome.

The decision affects multiple matches in Italy’s top football league and extends to other sporting events across the country, creating a ripple effect in the sporting calendar.

Impact on Serie A Schedule

The league has confirmed that three matches originally scheduled for Saturday will now take place on different days:

• Inter Milan vs Roma – moved to Sunday at 2pm BST

• Lazio vs Parma – rescheduled for Monday at 7:45pm BST

• Como vs Genoa – shifted to Sunday at 11:30am BST

Earlier reports had suggested that the high-profile clash between Inter Milan and Roma might receive special consideration to allow Simone Inzaghi’s side additional rest before their upcoming Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

However, league officials opted for consistency in their approach to rescheduling.

“For Vietnamese fans following Serie A, these schedule changes mean adjusting viewing plans. The Inter–Roma match will now air at 8pm Sunday evening Vietnam time, rather than the original Saturday slot.” — Trần Đức Hải, Football Commentator, VTV

Honoring Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who became the first Latin American leader of the Catholic church, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

His funeral will be held at St Peter’s Square in front of the Basilica of St Peter, with the burial to follow at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

This marks a significant moment for Italy, where Catholicism remains deeply embedded in the national culture.

Previous Schedule Adjustments

This isn’t the first schedule change implemented by Serie A in response to the Pope’s passing.

The league had already postponed its Easter Monday matches, rescheduling them for Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Italy’s National Olympic Committee requested the suspension of all sporting events scheduled for Saturday, demonstrating the widespread impact of the Pope’s death on the Italian sporting world.

Broader Impact on Italian Sports

The effects of the Pope’s passing extend beyond football, affecting multiple sporting disciplines across Italy:

Women’s Six Nations Rugby

Italy’s Women’s Six Nations match against Wales has been rescheduled to Sunday at 11:30am BST.

For Wales, who have lost all four of their games in the tournament this season, this fixture carries significant importance as they face the possibility of finishing last if defeated by Italy.

United Rugby Championship

In rugby union, Zebre Parma will now host Edinburgh at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday evening at 7:35pm BST, moved from its original Saturday slot.

Douglas Struth, Edinburgh’s managing director, expressed gratitude to fans, stating: “We are very grateful for the support and understanding of those fans who have already booked to back the team this weekend.”

Tennis Tournaments

The Roma Garden Open, a clay-court ATP Challenger tennis tournament originally scheduled to conclude this weekend, is also expected to be affected, though an official announcement regarding its revised schedule has not yet been made.

Schedule Changes at a Glance

Implications for Vietnamese Fans

For Vietnamese supporters following European football, particularly Serie A, these schedule changes require adjustments to viewing plans.

The Inter Milan vs Roma fixture, featuring Vietnamese fan favorites like Lautaro Martínez and Paulo Dybala, will now air in Vietnam at 8pm Sunday evening local time.

“These scheduling changes remind us how global events impact our football viewing experience. For Vietnamese fans who closely follow Serie A, it means rearranging weekend plans to catch these important matches.” — Lê Công Vinh, Former Vietnamese International Footballer

Viewing Information for Vietnamese Audiences

Vietnamese fans can watch these rescheduled Serie A matches on licensed broadcasters including K+ and various streaming platforms.

The matches come at a crucial point in the Serie A season, with Inter Milan looking to maintain their position at the top of the table while preparing for their important Champions League semi-final.

Precedent for Sports Postponements

This is not unprecedented in football history, as matches have been postponed previously for national mourning periods.

In Vietnam, similar postponements occurred following the passing of national leaders, showing that respect for significant national figures transcends cultural boundaries.

The rescheduling demonstrates the importance of balancing sporting calendars with national moments of significance, a practice observed globally.