Lisbon (AFP)
The Portuguese Football League wants the first division championship to resume in camera on June 4 after being suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it said on Tuesday evening.
The Portuguese government had decided on April 30 that the competition, interrupted on March 12, could resume from the last weekend in May subject to the adoption of a health protocol.
Once this protocol has been established, the sports and health authorities will now draw up the list of stadiums making it possible to comply with the conditions imposed by the Directorate General of Health, the League explained in a press release.
"In order to ensure that the stadiums are rigorously inspected and that all the professionals involved in the matches and their organization are subjected to medical tests, June 4, 2020 is the target date for the first match of the 25th day", a clarified the "Liga Portugal".
With 10 days to go, FC Porto leads the standings with a point ahead of reigning champion Benfica Lisbon.
At least eight cases of footballers infected with the new coronavirus were reported this weekend among the squads of four Portuguese clubs in the 1st division, including a player from Benfica.
The rules imposed by the health authorities provide in particular that the players are tested twice a week and limit their social interactions to those close to them and to the management of the club.
The matches must be played "in as few stadiums as possible" and their organization must not involve gatherings of more than ten people, also demanded the Directorate General of Health.
© 2020 AFP