La Liga suspended as Real Madrid players go into quarantine over coronavirus

Real Madrid have announced that the whole football club is going into quarantine “with immediate effect” due to fears of coronavirus.

The decision, announced by the club on its website, was taken after a member of the club’s basketball team tested positive for COVID-19.

The football club shares the same training complex with the basketball team, which would also follow suit in the quarantine.

“Real Madrid C. F. announces that a member of our basketball first team has tested positive for coronavirus,” the statement read.

“The recommendation of remaining in quarantine has been followed with immediate effect, with this measure applied to both the basketball and football first teams, given that the two squads share the facilities at Real Madrid City.

“In addition, a decision has been made to close our training ground and it is recommended that all Real Madrid staff who work at Real Madrid City remain in quarantine.”

Real Madrid also said that league matches for both clubs scheduled for the next few days have been postponed.

“The EuroLeague basketball match and the LaLiga football fixture scheduled for today and tomorrow will not be played,” the statement concluded.

LA LIGA SUSPENDED

As a result of the Real Madrid squad going into quarantine because of coronavirus, La Liga, the governing body of the country’s top-flight league, announced the suspension of the next two league games.

“Given the circumstances that are coming to light this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible cases in players from other clubs, LaLiga considers it appropriate to continue to the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19,” La Liga wrote.

“As a result, in accordance with the measures established in Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, it agrees to postpone at least the next two match days.”

The league federation also added that the body would reevaluate the situation afterwards before making further decisions.

“Said decision will be reevaluated after the completion of the quarantines decreed in the affected clubs and the other possible situations that may arise,” the statement added.

On Thursday, Spain’s ministry of health reported that the number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 2,968 with 84 deaths.

UEFA REACTS

UEFA also released a statement saying there will be a meeting via video next Tuesday to discuss plans for football for the rest of the season, as well as Euro 2020, due to kick off on June 12.

“In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation, UEFA has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by video conference on Tuesday March 17 to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak,” the statement read.

“Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020.”