Spain’s two highest divisions in football, LaLiga Santander and LaLiga Smartbank, are scheduled to return to training this week in an endeavor to restart the 2019-20 season behind closed doors next month,
The leagues have detailed a Return to Training Protocol, setting out the plans for training and matches to commence as lockdown measures are eased in Spain. The plan includes players being tested for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and training facilities and stadia being disinfected.
Javler Tebas, the President of LaLiga, commented that this crisis has had a profound impact on all of them. He added that the return of football is a sign that society is progressing towards the new normal and it will also bring back an element of life that people in Spain and around the world know and love.
Although players will train individually at first, training will be scaled up gradually until entire squads may practice together.
Tebas went on to say that people’s health is paramount, so they have a comprehensive protocol to safeguard the health of everyone involved as they work to restart LaLiga.
Tebas also said that circumstances are unprecedented but they hope to start playing again in June and finish their 19/20 season this summer.
Irene Lozano, the Sports Minister, said that sport is going to return in phases and will be determined by the evolution of the pandemic and with measures on distance and hygiene, but that it will return. She thanked all the athletes for their commitment, strength and resistance during the hiatus, saying that they are an example.