"Playing at 4:30 p.m. in the summer is outrageous, we're human"

In a key week to see whether the government will give the go-ahead to resume Serie A in mid-June, Gastaldello expressed concern about the risks players will face if they return to play after a long break and in difficult weather conditions.

"Finishing this championship seems forced to me, there will be many risks. Playing 12 games during the summer creates incredible risks," said Gastaldello in an interview with national radio station "Radio Rai".

"I read that there could be games at 4.30pm in the summer, it's scandalous. We are not machines, we are human beings. It's not right and we must raise our voices," he added.

This is not the first time the Brescia captain has expressed doubts about a return to football. Just a few weeks ago he expressed the fear that players have of returning to play after the pandemic.

Serie A was interrupted on 9 March on Matchday 26, when Juventus were one point ahead of Lazio in second and nine points ahead of Inter Milan in third.

On Thursday, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and decide whether it will be possible to resume organising Serie A matches from 14 June.