Players and coaching staff at LaLiga side Eibar have released a statement revealing fears of a fresh coronavirus outbreak ahead of a planned return for the competition next month.
Lockdown measures in Spain have been relaxed following a government announcement last Monday and LaLiga revealed on Tuesday that teams would be back in training this week, with a view to kicking off again in June.
"We are afraid to start an activity in which we will not be able to comply with the main recommendation of all experts, physical distancing," the statement from Eibar's players and staff said.
"We are concerned that by doing what we love most, we can spread [Covid-19], 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 whole population.
"The first thing must be everyone's health, and it is time for that idea to prevail with deeds, not just words. Only with that clear premise would it make sense to go back to competition. We ask for guarantees. We demand responsibility."
But LaLiga sought to offer those guarantees in a quick response to the fears of Eibar's players and staff.
"Of course we understand that people have various emotions, including fear," they said in a statement released to the media in Spain. "This is an unprecedented time.
"However, we are taking many precautions for a safe and controlled return of football. Playing football will be safer than, for example, going to the supermarket or to the pharmacy."
