Football suspended indefinitely due to coronavirus crisis

All football in Catalonia and in Spain has been suspended without any date set for its return, as the coronavirus crisis continues. 

On Monday morning, La Liga and the Spanish football federation announced an agreement to call all games off indefinitely. 

In a press release, it was announced that the games will be off until the government deems it safe enough to resume play without posing any health risk. 

“Both the RFEF and LaLiga want to show their greatest public appreciation to those who are devoting their best efforts to provide the essential services” to the people, the joint press release stated. 

The move comes after last week’s decision from UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, to delay the European Championships by a year, until summer 2021. 

This offers vital space in the summer of 2020 to domestic competitions hoping to finish the current seasons. 

At this moment no decision has been made regarding how to resolve the 2019/20 season, and various items remain open including the league title, European qualification spots, relegation, and promotion. 

RCD Espanyol covid-19 infections

RCD Espanyol de Barcelona announced that six members of their playing and technical staff had tested positive for the covid-19 coronavirus. 

Among those who contracted the disease were Uruguayan defender Leandro Cabrero and Chinese winger Wu Lei. 

Four of the six infected have already recovered from the illness, and all only suffered light symptoms.

Barça contemplate temporary layoffs

Catalan sports daily newspaper Sport revealed during the last week that FC Barcelona are considering temporary layoffs for players and staff on their books to avoid huge losses.

During this period of ccoronavirus, no competitions are being played either domestically or internationally, while the state of alarm also forces shops to close, meaning during this time, FC Barcelona, like every other football club and many other businesses, have no source of income. 

As a result, it has been reported that the board of directors are seriously contemplating temporarily altering their working relationship with playing staff and others on the payroll. 

The move could see the Spanish government cover a part of the wages earned by the players and employees.