This archive report was first published on 24 April 2020.
La Liga's plans to restart the Spanish football season have been met with caution from Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, who believes there should be no rush to return to action.
According to a source close to La Liga, the Spanish football federation is planning to conduct tests and a return to training, with the aim of completing the Liga season and avoiding financial disaster.
However, Bale has expressed his concerns about the safety of players and staff, saying that the most important thing is for everyone to stay safe and avoid a second wave of the virus.
"Everyone wants to play football, but the most important thing is everyone stays safe, we don't want to come back too early. We need to make sure everything is done safely so we avoid the second wave of this virus," Bale told British broadcaster BT Sports on April 23, 2020.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has proposed several alternatives for a return to action, including a possible restart as early as May 28 or as late as June 28.
However, the Spanish players union (AFE) and several players, including Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopez and Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, have expressed concerns about the safety of players and staff.
"Ask yourself if this is really a good idea. Is it safe? isn't our main concern everybody's safety?," Lopez said on April 22, 2020.
Others, such as Athletic Bilbao player Ander Capa, have been more optimistic about the possibility of a return to action.
