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Barcelona to begin testing players, but Eibar say they're 'afraid'

Barcelona are to begin testing their players for COVID-19 tomorrow.  Confirmation of the testing...



Barcelona to begin testing pla...
Soccer

Barcelona to begin testing players, but Eibar say they're 'afraid'

Barcelona are to begin testing their players for COVID-19 tomorrow. 

Confirmation of the testing comes after La Liga president Javier Tebas penciled in a mid-June return for the Spanish top flight at the weekend.

All football in Spain has been suspended since March 13, and the country only began the slight easing of restrictions in recent days.

But, teams in La Liga were given permission to resume training this week albeit in limited circumstances.

A Barcelona statement read:

The football first team will be back at the Ciutat Esportiva on Wednesday for the relevant medical tests ahead of starting training individually in the coming days.

La Liga has give the go ahead for the tests to be carried out after the Club facilities are inspected on Tuesday.

On Wednesday the medicals will be carried out to guarantee the players' health.

"We have time, there’s no need to rush. But our plan is to restart the competition in June," Tebas said at the weekend

“We have time until June 28th, we were keen to start training. Let’s wait and see the exact date we can start training.

“But now at least I can foresee finishing the league, which is very important for us,” he added.

As Spanish football journalist Dermot Corrigan told Tuesday morning's OTB AM, ""La Liga were able to source tests through a German company in a private way, that just didn't look so good when the health system was struggling to get enough testing, enough equipment that they needed."

However, not all sides are welcoming the swift return.

Relegation-threatened Eibar players released a statement outlining their reluctance to come back, "We are afraid to start an activity in which we will not be able to meet the first recommendation of all experts, physical distancing.

The added, "We are concerned that, by doing what we like best, we can catch it, infect our family and friends, and even contribute to a new outbreak of the epidemic, with the terrible consequences that this would entail for the entire population."

But Cope journalist Isaac Fouto says La Liga have been in contact with Eibar players looking to ease their fears.

In that correspondence, La Liga say they "understand" why players would be fearful of a return, but reassured them, "Playing soccer will be safer than going to the supermarket or pharmacy."

 

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Barcelona Coronavirus Covid-19 Eibar Javier Tebas La Liga Spain