Giovanni Malagò, the president of
Italian Olympic Committee CONI, said Tuesday that he was against
the idea of allowing tennis great Novak Djokovic to take part in
the Italian Open in May despite his refusal to have a COVID-19
jab.
Last week Valentina Vezzali, the government undersecretary with
the sport portfolio, had suggested this was a possibility.
She said the Serbian world number one would be able to play at
the Rome tournament as Italy does not require the Super Green
Pass, which shows a person is vaccinated for COVID-19 or has
recovered from it, for open-air sports like tennis.
She added that Djokovic would have to avoid staying in a hotel
or going to restaurants while in Italy.
"It absolutely wouldn't be right," Malagò told State broadcaster
RAI when asked about whether Djokovic should be allowed to play
at the tournament.
"Even if you shower in a camper and eat and sleep in improvised
situations, the message is totally wrong.
"I get dozens of emails every day from mums and dads who are
furious because their children don't have the green pass and
cannot do sport.
"Explain to me why a champion who is in the same situation can".
Health Undersecretary Andrea Costa has also said that he was
against allowing Djokovic to take part in the Italian Open.
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