Pope Francis' death: Okoye and Dele-Bashiru affected as Serie A postpones Easter Monday fixtures

The Italian Football Federation, in agreement with all footballing bodies, has confirmed the suspension of all domestic football to be played on Easter Monday, from Serie A to amateur.

The Serie A has postponed all the fixtures following the death of the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, who passed away today.

Pope Francis was 88 years old and had previously overcome a severe case of double pneumonia.

Among the affected matches are those involving Nigerian internationals Maduka Okoye (Udinese) and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio). 

Udinese were due to face Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, corresponding to the 33rd round of matches in the Italian top-flight, while Lazio had an away game at Genoa.

Other matches postponed include Cagliari versus Fiorentina, and Parma versus Juventus.

The league said in a statement that the date of the rearranged fixtures will be announced in due course.

Both Okoye and Dele-Bashiru have made 19 appearances in the Serie A this season, though the central midfielder has started just five matches.

Lazio are seventh in the table with 56 points from 32 games, while Udinese are sitting in eleventh place with 40 points accumulated. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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