Football fans in Spain unlikely to return to stadiums in September, says country's health minister

Madrid: Spain’s health minister has expressed doubt about the prospect of spectators returning to football matches in September due to the threat of a resurgence in COVID-19 infections. The government’s department for sport and organising body LaLiga had hoped to let fans back into stadiums at a reduced capacity when the new season starts in September, increasing to 50 percent in November before full capacity returned in January. Yet a spike in infections since Spain lifted a national state of emergency in June has led some regions to impose localised lockdowns and limit activities, threatening the return to normality. “To be honest, I don’t see it, given the reality we are in,” health minister Santiago Illa told radio station Cadena Ser on Thursday. “We have seen some clusters of infections and although we have fortunately been able to control them, I still don’t see (fans returning). “We’re going to take our time and provide information so the sports department can make the decision when necessary. We have to step carefully with the virus, and concentrating large numbers of people at this time is not advisable at all.” Illa also criticised large-scale celebrations in Vitoria to mark Baskonia winning the basketball championship and after Cadiz won promotion, urging Real Madrid fans to show restraint if they win the LaLiga title on Thursday. “I understand what it means to win a title or win promotion but the situation we have in Spain is of a controlled epidemic but with a virus that is still circulating,” he added. “In the last few days we’ve seen images that put people’s health at risk. We are advising people to celebrate sporting triumphs at home and in no circumstances to go out to the streets and concentrate in large numbers.”