Finally Sevilla-Roma and Inter-Getafe will not be played this Thursday. This has been confirmed by UEFA itself, after Rome and Getafe refused to travel to protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus. Both were scheduled to be held behind closed doors., but the agency has yielded to the request of the clubs and has ensured the safety of all members.
As a result of the traveling restrictions between Spain and Italy imposed yesterday by the Spanish authorities, the following #UEL matches will not take place as scheduled tomorrow.
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???????? Internazionale – Getafe ????????– UEFA (@UEFA) March 11, 2020
UEFA has issued a statement, informing the postponement, but it still does not confirm that it will happen with the second leg or with the progress of the competition. This is the full note:
“As a result of the travel restrictions between Spain and Italy imposed yesterday by the Spanish authorities, the following matches of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 will not be held as scheduled for tomorrow, March 12, 2020.
• Sevilla FC (Spain) – AS Roma (Italy)
• FC Internazionale (Italy) – Getafe CF (Spain)
Additional decisions on the two parties will be communicated in due time. “
What will happen with the Europa League?
When the first leg matches are suspended, there is very little chance that the return matches will be played on the date marked (March, 19). To make it happen, duels would have to be played before that date, something unlikely given the alarm situation in Spain and Italy.
So and if there is no other decision regarding the competition in general, will be 'X Balls' in the draw. That is, they will be framed with clubs that have exceeded the knockout stages, at the expense of what happens in their tie. Anyway, the rooms would be played from April 9 and there are hardly any dates on the calendar to square two games until then.