Football games around Europe to be played in empty stadiums

MADRID (AP) — All upcoming professional soccer games in Spain, France and Portugal, as well as some in Germany and a European Championship qualifying match in Slovakia, will be played in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Spanish league said Tuesday that matches in the first and second divisions will be played without fans for at least two weeks.

The announcement came after the government outlined a series of preventative measures being implemented to help contain the spread of the virus, including ordering all sporting events with a significant number of fans — professional and non-professional — to be played in empty venues.

The league said it will “follow its recommendations and/or decisions, prioritising the health of fans, players, club employees, journalists, etc., due to the COVID-19 health crisis.”

Portugal announced similar measures for the professional league and said youth soccer competitions would be suspended between Saturday and March 28.

It also said non-professional soccer matches can’t be played with crowds bigger than 5,000 people.

Later Tuesday, the French soccer league announced that all soccer matches in its top two divisions will be played without fans until April 15.

The moves came a day after Italy said all sports events in the country, including Serie A soccer games and preparatory events for the Tokyo Olympics, would be suspended until April 3.

The first major game without fans in the Spanish league will be between Real Madrid and Eibar at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Friday.

“For weeks, LaLiga has been working on alternative plans in coordination with UEFA in case health authorities decide to suspend any match, creating a plan to play these matches,” the Spanish league said.

Champions League matches are also being affected in Spain, including next week’s game between Barcelona and Napoli at the Camp Nou. Barcelona said that match will have no fans in attendance.

Spain had previously announced a decision to play Tuesday’s Champions League game between Valencia and Italian club Atalanta in an empty stadium.

Two Europa League matches in the country have also been affected — Sevilla vs. Roma on Thursday and Getafe vs. Inter Milan on March 19.

Rome and Inter are also from Italy.

The Spanish track federation also said it was told by the government of measures affecting all professional and non-professional sporting events in the country. Basketball games in Spain will also have to be played in empty venues.

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