x

Barca coach not convinced by plans to restart La Liga

Barcelona coach, Quique Setien, is pessimistic that the Spanish top flight season will be able to be completed and has called La Liga’s conditions for the campaign recommencing “a non-starter” due to the continued threat of the novel coronavirus.

La Liga has been on hold since March 10 due to the pandemic, although president Javier Tebas has said matches could start up again on either May 29, June 7 or June 28, most likely without spectators.

Tebas has estimated Spanish clubs would lose around one billion euros (1.09 billion dollars) if the season is not completed.

A draft of the league’s protocol for returning to training and matches, once given the green light by health authorities, recommends that clubs hold training camps at their training grounds or hotels for a two-week period before matches can start again.

“Only first team players, coaching staff and a small number of other staff would be allowed to access the facility, with everyone at the training camp being subjected to two COVID-19 tests before accessing the site.

“Testing would continue to take place during the camps,” added the protocol.

But Setien, whose Barca side held a two-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the standings when the campaign was indefinitely postponed, does not think it is so simple.

“Everyone wants to be ready for when the season starts again but that cannot happen until the health authorities can guarantee that there will be no problems.

“I have read the protocol and the reality is I don’t know if it can be carried out as it is written, I think it’s unworkable, I think it’s very difficult logistically,” Setien told Catalan radio station RAC1 on Thursday.

Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets also expressed doubts about the feasability of clubs holding training camps.

“We can start training again little by little but it will be difficult once everyone comes together and the competition starts again and teams start travelling.

“I have heard that La Liga wants teams to concentrate for a few months, I think that’s too much and it cannot be done. There will be too many problems,” he told Spanish radio stations Onda Cero and Cadena Cope.

La Liga declined to comment on Setien and Busquets’ comments although a source close to the matter said stakeholders were continuing to discuss a plan to return to matches along with the association of European leagues.

“The objective of La Liga is to create a protocol of the highest possible standard that can allow return to training and get us in a good, healthy, way to the light at the end of this dark tunnel,” added the source.

More than 19,000 people have died from the coronavirus in Spain although this week the government loosened the terms of a strict lockdown to allow some businesses back to work. (Reuters/NAN)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Sabinus Funds Road Construction in Port Harcourt Community

Popular Nigerian comedian and content creator, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu,...

FG Approves N4.2bn for TETFund Research Projects, Innovation Hubs

The Federal Government has approved N4.2 billion to support...

Acting Director DOAS Bows Out Of Service

By Ngozi Ufomba Acting Director, Department of Outdoor Advertisement and...

World Youth Peace Conference holds in Beijing

On July 29, the World Youth Peace Conference was...

Man United Submit €85m Bid for Leipzig Striker Benjamin Sesko – Report

Manchester United have reportedly made a formal bid of...

Tonto Dikeh Breaks Silence on Mohbad Controversy Allegations

Veteran Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has responded to allegations...

NGO Condemns Misrepresentation of Andy Liu’s Visit to Nigeria’s First Lady

A non-governmental organization, SINOAFRIK Media Documentation and Development Network,...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img