La Liga president Javier Tebas aims for the Spanish league to resume on 12 June, but admitted that there is still uncertainties and fear over the rise of COVID-19 cases in the near future.
He believes it all depends on how players are taking care of themselves, based on health measures set by the authorities.
“I’d like it to be June 12th but we have to be careful, it will depend on many factors taking into account the de-escalation phases across Spain that the Health Minister has spoken about, such as potential a rise in infections, factors which don’t depend on football but on Spanish society,” he said in an interview with El Partidazo.
“We have to be very careful and focused on following the health measures. The virus is still there. With less infections, but it’s still there.
“Coronavirus isn’t transmitted through sweat; it’s transmitted by saliva. The risk during games will be zero, or practically zero, because the players will be PCR tested – with only a 5% possible failure rate – 24 hours before the game.
“There’s always a tiny risk in everything we do in everyday life but the risk of picking it up during a game is practically zero.”
Tebas also revealed that La Liga working to find ways to make sure fans can enjoy the match, albeit from home.
“We’re working on some initiatives for fans to interact with games from home. I don’t want to pre-empt anything, given that we won’t be able to have fans in the stadiums, but the alternatives will be very interesting and groundbreaking when it comes to football broadcasts.
“Not having fans in the stadium is a tragedy, but we’re going to make the most of situation to ensure that those watching at home can enjoy the football as much as possible.”
After carrying out the mandatory medical tests last week, 5 positive cases have been detected among players of LaLiga first and second division, all of which are asymptomatic and in the latter stages of the virus.
The players are currently in quarantine at home and they will be tested again in the coming days but they need to record two consecutive negative results before being allowed to train with their respective team.
LaLiga said they will continue to apply the Return to Training protocol, to ensure the health and safety of all players, coaching staff and club employees is under control.
“LaLiga advised all those involved in training sessions to fully comply with the recommended health measures at training facilities, in their homes and during all activity and those around them outside their homes, in order to maintain a low number of affected people.”