Ole! La Liga fires up again after old foes unite
After an almighty push by all parties concerned, Spain`s La Liga roars back into action next week after a three-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches taking place every day and with everything to play for. The season resumes on Wednesday in bizarre circumstances with the second half of a Segunda Division match between Rayo Vallecano and Albacete that was abandoned in December due to offensive chanting.
Barcelona to play their first game on Saturday
The (re)starting gun will be properly fired with Thursday`s derby between Sevilla and Real Betis, while champions Barcelona play their first game on Saturday away to Real Mallorca, with title rivals Real Madrid hosting Eibar on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
La Liuga matches amid COVID-19 crisis
All matches will be played without spectators for safety reasons, although broadcasters plan to replicate crowd noise for television viewers, which will include a minute of applause for Spain`s more-than 27,000 COVID-19 victims. Photo: Reuters
La Liga president Javier Tebas leading the campaign
La Liga president Javier Tebas has led the campaign to get the season back on track, warning early on that not completing the campaign could lead to a collective loss of one billion euros ($1.13 billion) in forfeited broadcast revenues and prize money. Photo: Reuters
Tebas, Luis Rubiales friction resurface
Old wounds between Tebas and federation president Luis Rubiales resurfaced in the early stages of negotiations. But after an eight-hour meeting organised by junior sports minister Irene Lozano in April, they finally pledged to work together to ensure the season was completed. Photo: Reuters
Strange sensation for Spanish La Liga
Spain`s footballers have welcomed the return of the season, although they concede it will not be the same without the supporters. "It`s going to be a very strange sensation. Football is all about the fans," said Atletico Madrid`s Marcos Llorente. Photo: Reuters
La Liga table till March 2020
Barcelona led the table by two points over Real when the season was paused in March and the two rivals are braced for one of the tightest title races in recent memory. The fight for Champions League football is even closer, with five teams vying for third and fourth place. The bottom 10 sides are separated by only 14 points, meaning the fight to avoid relegation will be just as gripping. Photo: Reuters