Despite a number of Serie A clubs returning to training this week, the hopes of the league being finished this season have been rocked after eight more players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Clubs in Italy's top flight were allowed to resume individual training sessions this week under strict guidelines, but following the increased testing of players, there have been eight new reported cases across the league's 20 clubs.
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On Thursday, Sampdoria announced, via an official statement on their club website, that three new players had tested positive for the coronavirus, while another had tested positive for the second time.
"The UC Sampdoria informs that, during the tests to which the players were subjected, three new positivity to Coronavirus-COVID-19 and a return of positivity emerged. Currently asymptomatic, they have been placed in quarantine and will be constantly monitored as per protocol," the statement said.
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That announcement comes after fellow Serie A side Fiorentina, who, along with Sampdoria, were among the hardest-hit clubs during the initial outbreak in March, confirmed three new cases, along with three staff, while Torino also have one player who tested positive, per Reuters.
While teams have resumed training, the Italian government is still considering the football federation's proposed medical guidelines before making a decision on the return of the Serie A.
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Earlier in the week, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala announced that he was cleared of the coronavirus, with speculative reports having previously claimed the Juventus star had tested positive four times in the space of six weeks.