MADRID: All upcoming professional football matches in Spain, France and Portugal, as well as some in Germany and a European Championship qualifying match in Slovakia, will be played in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Spanish League said on Tuesday that matches in the first and second divisions will be played without fans for at least two weeks. The announcement came after the government outlined a series of preventative measures being implemented to help contain the spread of the virus, including ordering all sporting events with a significant number of fans professional and non-professional to be played in empty venues.
The league said it will follow its recommendations and/or decisions, prioritising the health of fans, players, club employees, journalists, etc., due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
“According to information from the High Council of sports, La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank [second division] matches will be played behind closed doors, starting today (March 10) and for at least the next two weeks,” it said in a statement.
“La Liga will continue to be in permanent contact with the Ministry of Health and the CSD to follow its recommendations and/or decisions, prioritising the health of fans, players, club employees, journalists etc. due to the COVID-19 health crisis.”
Portugal announced similar measures for the professional league and said youth football competitions would be suspended between Saturday and March 28. It also said non-professional football matches can’t be played with crowds bigger than 5,000 people.
Later on Tuesday, the French League (LFP) announced that all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches will be played without fans until April 15.
“This decision is in strict application of the ministerial order published on March 10,” the LFP said in a statement with further details on arrangements provided following a board meeting on Wednesday.
The moves came a day after Italy said all sports events in the country, including Serie A games, would be suspended until April 3.
The first major game without fans in La Liga will be between Real Madrid and Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Friday.
“For weeks, La Liga has been working on alternative plans in coordination with UEFA in case health authorities decide to suspend any match, creating a plan to play these matches,” the Spanish league said.
Champions League matches are also being affected in Spain, including next week’s game between Barcelona and Napoli at the Camp Nou. Barca said that match will have no fans in attendance. – Agencies
