This archive report was first published on 22 June 2020.
La Liga, the top division of Spanish football, is working to bring back fans to stadiums in the country under strict guidelines. The return of fans will be subject to limitations, with supporters required to register in advance and take turns attending games.
According to a document issued to clubs by La Liga, fans will need to register with their contact details if they wish to attend matches. This is part of the league's efforts to find a way to bring back crowds in limited numbers following the coronavirus shutdown.
Clubs will be allowed to choose which supporters are allowed in, and spectators will have to arrive at the stadium in pre-allocated time slots. However, they will be turned away if their temperature reading is over 37.5 degrees Celsius.
Inside the stadium, fans will be required to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and exit one row at a time at the end of the match. Catering facilities will remain closed, but fans will be given two bottles of water on their way in.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has expressed hope that a limited number of fans could be allowed back into games before the delayed Spanish season ends on July 19. However, the final decision rests with the government.
On June 11, Tebas stated, 'In 10 or 15 days we will have an agreement with the government about bringing fans back to stadiums. Obviously it won’t be the whole stadium, and if we could fill 10 percent or 15 percent of stadiums for the end of the season in some grounds then we would be very happy.'
Spain has been among Europe’s hardest-hit nations in the pandemic, suffering more than 28,000 COVID-19 related deaths and registering nearly 300,000 cases. However, the country has started to lift some restrictions, including opening its land border with France and welcoming EU nationals without enforcing quarantine periods.
