LaLiga clubs have reportedly been told that matches in Spain "will be played behind closed doors" until '21. The decision -- which is yet to be formally announced -- has been made by the Spanish government, "taking into account the expected evolution of the coronavirus pandemic." The expectation is that stadiums will "gradually re-open under strict safety measures" starting in January to "try to avoid a new outbreak of COVID-19, and may not operate at full capacity until a vaccine is available." A date "is yet to be made public for a return" of games behind closed doors (ESPN.com, 4/24).
LaLiga players will "undergo daily coronavirus tests under a protocol for a return to training" starting the second week of May. There will be three stages to training -- individual, small group and full team -- and the first tests are "pencilled in for next Tuesday." The league’s three scenarios for a return to competition "plan for a restart" on May 28, June 6 or June 28. LaLiga President Javier Tebas "does not want to contemplate the season being annulled," claiming the cost would be around €1B ($1.08B) (London GUARDIAN, 4/23).
A "confidential 23-page document" from LaLiga provides "insight into the details of what is required to get major sporting competition restarted without compromising the health of athletes or the wider population." The measures being formulated "appear more like those required for a medical facility than for a soccer team’s training ground" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/23).
