Responding firmly to players who have expressed their anxieties over making too soon a return with the coronavirus pandemic still rife, La Liga president Javier Tebas has threatened to dock points from clubs if they refuse to play once Spanish football has resumed.
With 11 games each remaining to be played, teams in Spain’s top flight still have plenty of issues to be resolved before the end of the season is reached. With Barcelona just two points ahead of Real Madrid at the top and only two points between the next four clubs as Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Getafe and Atletico Madrid chase Champions League spots for next season. That notwithstanding, relegation issues have also to be decided.
Regardless, Tebas in his determination to get the league on its feet again as soon as possible, has said he would be prepared to give players written guarantees over their safety if and when the 2019-20 season resumes.
‘When they give us the order to be able to play, if there is a club who does not want to play, it will be treated as a no-show,” said Tebas in quotes reported by Mail Online.
“First, three points will be deducted and then maybe more according to the rules.”
When questioned if the government or the clubs were going to sign a guarantee specifying there will be no risks for them training and playing again, Tebas said:
“I have no problem signing that as LaLiga.”
La Liga’s had plans to restart the season earlier but suffered a temporary setback last week when it was revealed testing of all players – due to take place next Tuesday ahead of a possible May 4 return to training – had been postponed as the government had not yet given the go-ahead.
Players have spoken up to express their fears over returning to training too soon, with Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams saying:
“I am not planning on playing again all the time there are still people dying from this.”
And Sevilla winger Suso told Radio Marca:
“My pregnant wife is due to give birth in six weeks. If I come to training, catch the virus, and then give it to her I would never be able to forgive myself.
“If there is a one per cent risk then I think it is best we did not continue [with the season].”