BARCELONA: Spanish league’s top two divisions are likely to restart training in small groups from Monday, the Spanish media reported on Saturday.
La Liga had informed clubs they could start training in groups of up to 10 players from May 18 following an order issued by the government’s department for health on Saturday which modified guidelines for elite athletes.
“This crisis has had a profound impact on all of us. The return of football is a sign that society is progressing towards the new normal. It will also bring back an element of life that people in Spain and around the world know and love,” La Liga president Javier Tebas said last week.
“People’s health is paramount, so we have a comprehensive protocol to safeguard the health of everyone involved as we work to restart. Circumstances are unprecedented, but we hope to start playing again in June and finish our 19/20 season this summer.”
In accordance with the Return to Training Protocol that La Liga has drawn up with medical experts, professional players from La Liga Santander and La Liga SmartBank – the first and second divisions – will start training alone following medical tests carried out by club staff.
Madrid and Barcelona are currently in phase zero of the state of emergency, which means that their clubs will be unable to begin matches until restrictions are eased.
