Kolkata: The Spanish LaLiga is not likely to have fans inside stadiums until the start of next season which is planned for a September start, an official of the league said on Monday.
He also added that it would disrupt the balance if fans attended matches in some cities before others.
“It has to be something that can be uniform for every stadium. I cannot give an answer right now. Maybe sometime in July, most likely it cannot be until next season in September. But it will depend on health authorities. And it will only happen when it is allowed in every stadium,” Jose Antonio Cachaza, LaLiga India, Managing Director told reporters during a media videoconference arranged by LaLiga.
“Obviously we would like to have the real fans in the stands tomorrow itself. For that to happen, we depend on the decision of Spanish health authorities. If you listen to the minister of sports and other people, it will be possible only next season.
“It can be done at every stadium. If we open the gates to one stadium and close for others, that immediately imbalances the competition. We don’t know if that will be possible but if it is to happen, security will be the first concern for fans, players and professionals working around the game,” he said.
LaLiga President Javier Tebas had earlier stated he is in favour of hosting matches with fans in attendance as soon as possible. The Spanish league is currently scheduled to return this month with matches to be held behind closed doors from June 11.
As Spanish authorities are looking to ease lockdown restrictions in the country, Tebas said he is hopeful fans could attend matches in some cities before others, depending upon the coronavirus related situations in the area.
Tebas had earlier also said he is hoping to start the next season on September 12.
“As you know also, midway during August European football plans to finish the Champions League and Europa League. See things will keep evolving and cannot answer now how it will be in September.
“It’s quite probable that in September some fans will be allowed, but not full stadiums. What’s really important is to be back and this is going to be a difficult way to finish the season,” said Cachaza when asked about plans for next season.
“There is still a lot of uncertainty that we cannot answer now. And it is not just LaLiga. Hopefully, in January next year everything will be really normal.”
Cachaza also spoke about footballers displaying political messages as seen in the German Bundesliga where several footballers called for justice for George Floyd during matches.
FIFA has called on leagues to use “common sense” when deciding whether to discipline footballers for displaying such messages. “LaLiga will always be in support of equality and union and non-discrimination anywhere in the world,” Cachaza said. “LaLiga does not sanction. They come from referees and committees. But I will go to what FIFA said, they said publicly that we need to understand those situations,” he added.
Asked about players spitting during training and whether any policing is done on that, he said: “We are all talking about professionals here and they are not policing on that.
“Basically, it’s a matter of self responsibility and clubs responsibility. It is not that LaLiga has sent inspectors…chasing them not to spit or shake hands. It’s about everyone’s responsibility. Football is a part of society.”(IANS)
