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VAR delays Spezia’s return home

Italian Serie A football club Spezia has announced it now plans to return to its Stadio Alberto Picco on December 16, 11 days later than originally planned.

The Liguria club is currently competing in its first season in the top flight, but has been forced to play home matches at Cesena’s Stadio Dino Manuzzi as the Alberto Picco needed upgrading.

The Alberto Picco has a capacity of around 10,000 but Pierluigi Peracchini, the Mayor of Spezia, this month detailed plans to increase this to 16,000 so it is in line with Serie A standards. Peracchini had targeted Spezia’s home match against Lazio on December 5 as the first Serie A fixture at the stadium as the club looks to gain approval to play at the ground amid the ongoing renovation plans.

However, while the club has now said initial adaptation work is proceeding according to the timeline for an inspection on November 30, the home game against Bologna on December 16 is now being targeted for the first match.

Broadcaster Sky Italia said the delay is due to the time needed to transfer Goal Line Technology and VAR equipment from the Dino Manuzzi.

Image: Spezia Calcio