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Coronavirus news

La Liga is coming back! After almost 3 months of lock-down, the authorities have announced that everything will resume the week commencing 8th June (pending official confirmation of the dates). This will only apply to the top two divisions however, the regional divisions having been declared closed with the exception of the promotion play-offs, which will be based on the rankings at the time of the lock-down.

Eleven weeks remain in the first division and eleven as well in the second, and it appears games will be scheduled for every day of the week, with teams playing every three or four days. Given the heat in Spain at this time of year, presumably matches will take place in the evening, behind closed doors, and with extreme sanitary precautions. In view of the circumstances, it appears that five substitutes will be allowed instead of three.

As everyone probably knows, Euro 2020 has been postponed until next year, and the remaining Champions League and Europa League ties are expected to take place in summer, once the national leagues have finished. The Spanish “Copa del Rey” cup final between local rivals Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad has been postponed indefinitely though, as the clubs have insisted that this take place in the presence of their fans, even if this is several months into the future. As a result, the Europa League spot usually awarded to the cup winner will go to the side which finishes seventh in the league. (01.06.20)