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Serie A has postponed its three fixtures on Saturday because of Pope Francis’s funeral being held that day in Rome. Meanwhile, Italy’s Women’s Six Nations match against Wales is also expected to be rescheduled as the country prepares to pay its respects.
Earlier media reports in Italy had suggested that Serie A might make an exception for Inter’s clash with the visitors Roma to allow Simone Inzaghi’s side additional rest time before their midweek Champions League semi-final at Barcelona. However, the league has confirmed that the game at San Siro will now kick off at 2pm (all times BST) on Sunday.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Catholic church, died on Monday aged 88. His funeral will be held at St Peter’s Square in front of the Basilica of St Peter before the burial in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Lazio were to play Parma in Rome on Saturday, which has been rescheduled for Monday at 7.45pm, while Como’s home game with Genoa has been moved to Sunday at 11.30am. Serie A postponed its Easter Monday matches after the Pope’s death, with the games rescheduled for Wednesday, and on Tuesday Italy’s National Olympic Committee requested the suspension of all sporting events scheduled for Saturday.
This means Wales’s final Women’s Six Nations fixture will be rearranged. Friday and Sunday are being considered as alternative dates, according to reports, but Six Nations organisers have not yet made an announcement. Wales have lost all four of their games in the tournament this season and will be consigned to the wooden spoon if they are beaten by Italy.
In rugby union, Zebre Parma are due to host Edinburgh at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday evening – the United Rugby Championship is yet to announce new plans for the fixture. The Roma Garden Open, a clay-court ATP Challenger tennis tournament, was also originally scheduled to finish this weekend.
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