ZCZC
BSP-10
HEALTH-VIRUS-FBL-ESP
Barcelona and Real Madrid players begin virus testing
MADRID, May 6, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Players at Barcelona and Real Madrid
started to undergo coronavirus tests on Wednesday as La Liga clubs planned to
return to restricted training ahead of the proposed resumption of the season
next month.
Barca captain Lionel Messi and France international Antoine Griezmann were
among players pictured arriving one by one in their cars at the club’s
training centre early Wednesday morning.
Players at Madrid, including Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema, also underwent
health checks at Real’s training base on the outskirts of the city.
Results from the coronavirus tests are typically known within 48 hours. The
testing is part of the league’s strict medical protocol with which teams must
comply before a return to training.
Atletico Madrid, who will also carry out tests Wednesday, are aiming to
resume training immediately once the results are known if all goes to plan.
“It’s been a very strange time for us. We’ve never gone as long without
touching a ball and we are eager for it all to restart,” said Atletico
midfielder Marcos Llorente.
“Each week they sent us training programmes adjusted a bit to each player
and I think we are ready to return.”
The first of a four-phase de-escalation programme announced by the Spanish
government last week would allow players to initially train alone, with a
maximum of six players allowed on the pitch.
Players will be expected to arrive on club premises already in their kit
and wear a mask and gloves when not training. After each session they will be
given a bag with clothes for the next day.
La Liga’s programme will then permit training in small groups before a
return to larger team sessions.
In the fourth and final phase, scheduled for early June, the government
have said outside events can go ahead when attended by fewer than 400 people.
La Liga is proposing to complete its season behind closed doors, with games
starting again in the middle of June.
“People’s health is paramount, so we have a comprehensive protocol to
safeguard the health of everyone involved as we work to restart La Liga,”
league president Javier Tebas said on Monday.
“Circumstances are unprecedented, but we hope to start playing again in
June and finish our 19/20 season this summer.”
Spain has been one of the worst-hit countries in the world by the
coronavirus pandemic, with almost 26,000 deaths in the country according to
the latest figures on Wednesday.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1825hrs