Spain’s LaLiga to finish season between June, July
Madrid, May 29 (EFE).- Spain’s top-flight LaLiga will return on 11 June with the Sevilla vs Real Betis derby, the official technical group advising on the situation confirmed with the country’s football federation and the league Friday.
Spanish football was suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed over 27,000 people in the country.
Providing infection levels remain under control, the league will conclude on the weekend of the 18-19 of July, a time of year when many areas of Spain endure scorching temperatures.
The National Sports Council (CSD), the RFEF and LaLiga agreed on the timetable of the remaining 11 match days in LaLiga Santander, the top-flight, and LaLiga SmartBank, the second division.
While Seville prepare to host cross-city rivals on 11 June, the rest of the fixtures, corresponding with the 28th match day, will kick off the following weekend of 13-14 June.
LaLiga was put on pause on 10 March, just four days before Spain’s government announced a state of alarm and a draconian lockdown as cases of Covid-19 spread rapidly through the country.
On that day, Eibar hosted Real Sociedad for a game behind closed doors, although the encounter corresponded to a postponed game.
Barcelona currently lead the table with a two point advantage over Real Madrid.
The final tie on the 27th match day, played between 6-8 March, involved Real Madrid handing back the league leadership to their Catalan rivals with a 2-1 loss away to Real Betis.
LaLiga’s return will see Barcelona visit Mallorca, Real Madrid welcome Eibar and Real Sociedad host Osasuna.
Another hotly anticipated encounter will be Athletic Bilbao vs Atlético Madrid and there will be another derby — Valencia vs Levante.
The confirmation of LaLiga’s return comes a day after the English Premier League announced it would resume on 17 June and Italy’s Serie A said it would kick off again on 20 June.
Germany’s Bundesliga is already up and running behind closed doors, but the French Ligue 1, last of Europe’s big six, decided to call the season early, handing the championship to leaders Paris Saint-German.EFE
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