Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso insists Premier League has 'far worse problems than Italy' in handling of the Covid crisis - and accuses English top flight of 'constantly criticising us'
- A number of Premier League games have had to be postponed due to Covid-19
- Outbreaks of illness in multiple squads has caused massive fixture headache
- Situation in Italy is not as bad and Gennaro Gattuso hit out at Premier League
- Fiery Napoli boss Gattuso said for once it seems Italy are ahead of the curve
Fiery Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso has taken a swipe at the Premier League's handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
The former AC Milan and Italy star hit out at the English top flight after a number of games have been postponed due to outbreaks of the virus.
In contrast, Serie A has not suffered as badly, a difference the 43-year-old was eager to point out.
Gennaro Gattuso has slammed the Premier League's handling of the coronavirus crisis
Players in England's top flight were told not to celebrate but Manchester City reacted to Phil Foden's goal with a nine-man embrace
He told RAI Sport: 'We have to look towards the English Premier League, which I think is the best-organised league in the world.
'However, they constantly criticise us, and yet they are having far worse problems than we are, so for once Italy are ahead of the curve.
'It's not easy getting these swabs every other day, always waiting for the results with anxiety.'
It is not clear which criticism of Serie A or Napoli that Gattuso was referring to.
Premier League chiefs held meetings with clubs on Thursday and Friday to emphasise the importance of showing restraint when goals are scored, after players continued embracing, shaking hands and high-fiving during the midweek fixtures.
On Wednesday, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said footballers needed to avoid unnecessary forms of physical contact. But the same evening, City’s players celebrated Phil Foden's winning, first-half goal against Brighton with a nine-man hug.
Gattuso believes said Serie A is constantly criticised but is now ahead of the curve
There have been calls for a circuit break and stop to all matches but for now the decision is to carry on.
Manchester City, Tottenham, Fulham and Everton have all seen their games disrupted and the top flight is having to deal with reorganising fixtures.
Gattuso was speaking after his side's 3-2 Coppa Italia win over Empoli and he himself has been suffering with an auto-immune disease, unrelated to coronavirus.
He added: 'I feel much better now thanks to the cortisone. I heard a lot of things over the last few months, some saying I wouldn't be able to coach anymore.
'I've been dealing with this for 10 years, there are far worse things, trust me. I am fine, it was just a relapse.'
The Napoli boss saw his side beat Empoli 3-2 in the Coppa Italia on Thursday
Most watched Sport videos
- IShowSpeed is challenged to a race by Polish Olympic sprinting star
- Arteta happy with the chemistry building in his team
- Noah Lyles' Olympic rival speaks out after the 200m final
- Awkward moment Anthony Ammirati gets his crotch stuck on crossbar
- Team USA serenade A'ja Wilson as WNBA star celebrates 28th birthday
- Adorable footage of a tiny Simone Biles at junior competition
- Letslie Tebogo delivers savage remark after winning gold
- Rebeca Andrade reacts to Simone Biles' bow to her after winning gold
- Olympian boxer makes 'controversial' gesture
- OnlyFans Olympian Alisha Newman shows off pole vault outfit choices
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Day 12 highlights
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson shares a glimpse of her training