Spain's sports ministry on Thursday approved La Liga's plans for clubs to test their players for the coronavirus before they return to training as the league looks to restart the season in June after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Athletes in Spain have been forced to train at home since early March due to one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe, but Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced they are free to begin individual training at facilities from next Monday.
A meeting was held between the sport ministry and officials from La Liga, the Spanish football federation, the Spanish Footballers' Association and top clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid among others.
The ministry said medical staff at the clubs would be allowed to carry out the tests. Individual training is part of phase two of Spain's de-escalation plan.
Phase three involves training in small groups of up to eight players while phase four refers to full group training which needs to last at least two weeks before action returns.
Top flight matches will not return until phase four is completed, with 11 rounds of La Liga and the Copa del Rey final yet to be played.
While France announced the end of their season with Paris St Germain being awarded the Ligue 1 title, all major sports institutions in Spain, including the government's department for sport, have committed to completing the season.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said not finishing the season would lead to collective losses of up to one billion euros ($1.09 billion).
Latest Stories
-
Move to Canada immediately – Ghanaian-Canadian Part 2
1 hour -
Our dear nation is at a crossroads and requires an urgent reset – NDC insists
1 hour -
‘The Flower Pot Interchange is a legacy for future generations’ – Akufo-Addo asserts
1 hour -
NPP’s governance linked to Black Stars’ decline, says Mahama
2 hours -
Election 2024: I’m optimistic Bawumia will win – Nana Akomea
2 hours -
Today’s Front Pages: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
2 hours -
Did you expect former President Kufuor to endorse you? – Akomea slams Alan
2 hours -
NPP’s 2024 loss inevitable regardless of rigging efforts – Akandoh
2 hours -
Election Watch Ghana condemns alleged NPP training of thugs, calls for peace ahead of elections
2 hours -
Mahama accuses Jubilee House of orchestrating fake news campaign against him
2 hours -
Dampare assures Ghanaians of robust security plan for 2024 elections
3 hours -
Accra Institute of Technology hosts successful 2024 Science, Technology, and Innovation Expo
3 hours -
Regina Daniels had pastors, oil barons as suitors before I met her – Ned Nwoko
3 hours -
Asake featured in Wizkid’s upcoming album Morayo as full tracklist unveiled
3 hours -
Experts warn as Tinubu seeks approval for $2.2bn fresh external borrowing
3 hours