‘If we need Brescia to get relegated to save football, I’ll go into Serie B with my head held high’: Ex-Leeds owner Massimo Cellino refuses to complete Serie A season amid coronavirus pandemic as he admits he is happy to go down if that’s what it takes
- Ex-Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has hit out at those wanting to restart season
- His Brescia side are bottom but Cellino is happy to accept relegation if needs be
- Cellino says he is scared to go into his garden, let alone further, during pandemic
- He also says players need to accept cuts and will have to buy one less supercar
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Brescia owner Massimo Cellino has refused to allow his players to complete the Serie A season amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and says he will accept relegation if that is what it takes.
The former Leeds chief is an outspoken character and has not held back in his comments regarding the ongoing Covid-19 crisis this week.
No decision has yet been made on whether the Serie A season will be finished or not, but Cellino has made it very clear that his players will not take to the field unless it is absolutely safe to do so.
Brescia chief Massimo Cellino has massive reservations over starting the season any time soon
‘FIFA want us to finish here, so does the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee), it’s just the Federation that is creating all these commissions,’ Cellino told Radio 24.
‘We are experiencing a tragedy here. I live in Brescia and am seeing things that nobody should have to see. I am afraid to go into my garden, let alone for a walk. That is why I get angry about this.’
Brescia currently sit bottom of the Italian top flight and if the season is ended now they would be relegated, but Cellino says he is happy for that to happen if it ensures the safety of his stars.
Cellino says he is happy to accept relegation to Serie B if it keeps his Brescia players safe
‘If we need Brescia to get relegated in order to save football, then I’ll accept relegation and go into Serie B with head held high,’ he added. ‘People are hiding behind economic problems.’
Wage cuts have also been high on the agenda not just in Serie A but around Europe’s top leagues.
Cellino insists that players may have to accept less money if they are not taking to the field in the coming weeks and months.
‘Players are paid to play games, not to train,’ he said. ‘If we have to stop, then the players will give something up and we can begin again next season.
Italy, like the rest of the world, is currently in the grips of the deadly coronavirus pandemic
‘How can we think of starting the next season in September without a day of vacation? Players will get injured, they need pre-season training.
‘If we don’t get the revenue, then I guess players will just have to buy one less Lamborghini. They are open to it, but we need to be clear with them on what is actually happening.
‘We can’t dock their pay and then make them play three times a week.’