Coronavirus: LaLiga to be played behind closed doors for at least two weeks

Joe Wright

Coronavirus: LaLiga to be played behind closed doors for at least two weeks image

Matches in LaLiga and the Segunda Division will be played behind closed doors for at least the next two weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Spanish authorities took the decision following a meeting early on Tuesday before advising league officials.

In a statement, LaLiga said it "will stay in constant contact with the Ministry of Health and CSD (High Council of Sport) to learn their recommendations and/or decisions" going forward.

It is expected the measures will come into effect as soon as Tuesday's LaLiga match between Eibar and Real Sociedad at Ipurua.

MORE: Western Sydney Wanderers forced to edit singles night event invitation

Osasuna had earlier suspended ticket sales for the game against Sociedad on Sunday, with a message on their website telling fans to await further updates.

The news comes after Barcelona announced that their Champions League last-16, second leg against Napoli will be held behind closed doors next week.

However, as of early on Tuesday, there were no plans to hold Liverpool's match with Atletico Madrid at Anfield this Wednesday without fans present.

Some of the LaLiga matches to be affected are the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis, Atletico Madrid's trip to Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid's home match with Valencia and Barcelona games against Real Mallorca and Leganes.

Joris Evers, LaLiga's chief communications officer, said on Twitter: "Health is paramount. As a preventive measure, LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank will be played behind closed doors the coming two weeks (as will all sporting competitions and events in Spain)."

Confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Spain had jumped to 1,024 on Monday, close to double the number recorded on Sunday. Twenty-eight people have died.

In Madrid - where there are 782 confirmed cases - and in the Basque country, all schools and universities have been closed in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.