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Parma Staff Member Becomes First Virus Case since Serie A Restart

A general view inside the empty stadium prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on June 28, 2020 in Parma, Italy. (Getty Images)
A general view inside the empty stadium prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on June 28, 2020 in Parma, Italy. (Getty Images)
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Parma Staff Member Becomes First Virus Case since Serie A Restart

A general view inside the empty stadium prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on June 28, 2020 in Parma, Italy. (Getty Images)
A general view inside the empty stadium prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on June 28, 2020 in Parma, Italy. (Getty Images)

A member of the first team staff at Parma has tested positive for COVID-19, the Serie A club said on Saturday, adding that all squad staff and players have returned negative results.

It was the first case of the new coronavirus at any of the 20 clubs since Serie A restarted on June 19.

“The person is completely asymptomatic and was promptly isolated according to federal and ministerial directives,” the club said in a statement, without giving the person’s identity or area of work.

Parma said that, under the Italian government’s health guidelines, the players would be isolated at the club’s training ground but would be able to continue normal activities under constant monitoring.

The statement did not specify whether this included matches, but several Italian media said Parma would be able to fulfil their fixture at home to Bologna on Sunday provided all players tested negative again on the day.

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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly Battle to Scoreless Draw in Club World Cup Opener

Football - Club World Cup - Group A - Al Ahly v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 14, 2025 Al Ahly's Mohamed El-Shenawy makes a save. (Reuters)
Football - Club World Cup - Group A - Al Ahly v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 14, 2025 Al Ahly's Mohamed El-Shenawy makes a save. (Reuters)
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly Battle to Scoreless Draw in Club World Cup Opener

Football - Club World Cup - Group A - Al Ahly v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 14, 2025 Al Ahly's Mohamed El-Shenawy makes a save. (Reuters)
Football - Club World Cup - Group A - Al Ahly v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 14, 2025 Al Ahly's Mohamed El-Shenawy makes a save. (Reuters)

Lionel Messi was denied on a long shot in extra time and Inter Miami and Egypt's Al Ahly settled for a scoreless draw in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday night.

Argentina's eight-time Ballon d’Or winner kicked a long, curling shot from the right side that was tipped by diving goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy and brushed off the crossbar in the 96th minute front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi also shaved the post with a free kick in the 60th minute in the second half.

Miami had its own good fortune, surviving a first half onslaught by 12-time African champion Al Ahly, with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari saving a penalty from Trezeguet just before the break.

Miami had to rely on veteran Argentine goalkeeper Ustari to keep the game level in the first half, with the 38-year-old pulling off a number of saves as Al Ahly dominated the chances. He produced a crucial double save just before halftime, blocking Trezeguet's 43rd-minute penalty and then getting up quickly to deny the forward again on the rebound.

A draw leaves both teams with a battle to advance from Group A with tougher tests likely to come against Brazilian giant Palmeiras and Porto from Portugal. The top two advance to the round of 16.

Miami can be encouraged by its performance in the second half after being dominated in the first half. Inter Miami had the better chances after the break, with Messi's free kick and curling long shot both hitting the woodwork.

“It was a good party for football. It’s a new competition and the chance to play teams we don’t play normally in our league, so it can be very good for us. You can prove what we can do,” said Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach.

“I’m disappointed with the result. We could have taken all three points. We respect Inter Miami and their big-name players, but we could’ve finished the game in the first half by scoring three or four goals,” said Wessam Abou Ali, Ah Ahly forward.