SPANISH football authorities have suspended LaLiga for two weeks following coronavirus fears around the Real Madrid squad.
The next two matchdays across the division were already due to be played behind closed doors but the situation escalated on Thursday morning.
Real Madrid’s Bernabeu will not witness any action in the coming weeksCredit: AP:Associated Press
After a Real Madrid basketball player tested positive for the illness, all teams using the club’s Valdebebas training ground were placed in quarantine.
And that hastened a decision being discussed among the country’s sport chiefs, which was confirmed via a LaLiga statement.
It read: “Given the this morning’s circumstances, referring to the quarantine established at Real Madrid and the possible positive tests of players from other clubs, LaLiga considers that the circumstances are already in place to continue with the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19.
“Consequently, in accordance with the measures established by law, it agrees to suspend at least the next two matchdays.
“The decision will be reevaluated after the completion of the quarantines decreed across the affected clubs and other possible situations that may arise.
“LaLiga, as the organiser of the competition, has proceeded to communicate this decision to the RFEF, the CSD and the clubs.”
The decision also affects the Segunda Division after all lower-tier events were suspended earlier this week.
MARCA report that LaLiga officials were not in favour of the total halt to play but came under pressure from the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE).
The diagnosis of a Real Madrid basketball player has been met with the testing and isolation of all staff who use the training ground for 15 days.
That will wipe out Los Blancos’ Champions League match with Manchester City, just the latest fixture falling victim of the pandemic.
Travel restrictions placed by the Spanish government meant Napoli’s trip to Barcelona was also due to be postponed after Europa League clashes between Getafe and Inter Milan as well as Sevilla and Roma were also stopped.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
