Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina has explained proposed plans for a four-team play-off to decide who wins Serie A this season.
All sporting events have been suspended in Italy until at least April 3 following the coronavirus outbreak.
The death toll in the country has soared to 631 with 10,149 positive tests recorded.
There is no guarantee the season will get back up and running next month and bosses are drawing up plans on how to proceed.
Gravina said: “We hope that the season can be concluded as planned, because if we do resume on April 3, there are certain windows to make up for these postponed games.
“I took it upon myself to launch the idea of play-offs and play-outs, helping to respect the values of sporting competition.
“It would involve the four top teams in the play-off for the Scudetto and the last four in the play-outs to decide relegation.
“The FIGC will then indicate to UEFA who will participate in the European competitions next season.
“It was a sad meeting, because we are aware that we have taken away something that makes Italians happy and can distract them from the current situation, but we had to show great responsibility in this decision.”
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As it stands, Juventus, Lazio, Inter Milan and Atalanta would battle it out for the top prize.
Lecce, Genoa, SPAL and Brescia are the bottom four with three of those facing relegation to Serie B.
A play-off system is not the only alternative being discussed for the Italian league if the season cannot be completed.
Other alternatives would be to not assign the Scudetto, with no teams being relegated, or to accept the table as it currently stands.


