April 1 – Spain’s La Liga could return behind closed doors in July, according to Jaume Roures, chief executive of Mediapro one of the country’s major broadcast partners – but would have to be scrapped for good if any players contract Covid-19 thereafter.
The league has been postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic, which has led to more than 8,400 deaths in Spain.
“I hope football returns in July and I say July because, among other things, everyone’s health must be guaranteed,” Roures told radio station Cadena Cope.
“It will return without an audience, surely, but first of all there would have to be a pre-season campaign. After so long at home, they can’t go out and play as if nothing happened.”
Barcelona held a two-point lead over Real Madrid when the LaLiga season was stopped with 11 rounds to go.
“I don’t think it’s too difficult to play 11 matches in two months. Not playing would leave a hole of €700 million which would take a lot to fix,” Roures said. “We would be suffering for a long time as a result so that’s why we have to try to finish the season.”
While Roures believes matches could resume in July, he warned a positive test for COVID-19 after any restart would see the campaign ended – a worry for football authorities everywhere grappling with the calendar.
Players from Valencia, Espanyol and Alaves have already tested positive for the virus and Roures added: “If once LaLiga resumes a player tests positive for coronavirus, they will have to throw in the towel and say goodbye to the season.”
“We have to take every measure possible to ensure that doesn’t happen. But if it does, the party is over.”
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