This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
La Liga returned to action on Thursday, with Sevilla beating local rivals Real Betis 2-0 in an empty Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. This marked the second major European league to resume play after the coronavirus pandemic, following the Bundesliga's restart on May 16.
La Liga's return was met with a unique atmosphere, with players and coaches wearing masks and gloves, and temperatures taken before entering the stadium. The game was played in front of empty stands, with around 200 supporters gathering outside to greet the team buses, but dispersing shortly after.
Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos scored the opening goal from a 56th-minute penalty, and Fernando Reges added the second goal six minutes later. The win strengthens Sevilla's hold on third place in the table, moving them four points above Getafe and Real Sociedad below them.
La Liga president Javier Tebas had indicated earlier that 10 or 15 percent of fans could attend stadiums before the season finishes on July 19. However, for now, stands remain empty, with the voices of the players and coaches audible and the atmosphere strange.
"I always believed we would play again," said La Liga president Javier Tebas. "No fans allowed but we're here and we can't wait," shouted a 60-year-old supporter in a Sevilla shirt.
