Valencia, Espanyol and Real Mallorca all reported positive
cases for coronavirus on Tuesday, as Spanish clubs begin returning for
pre-season.
Valencia confirmed two
individuals have been infected while tests at Espanyol and Mallorca, who have
both been relegated to the second division, revealed one positive case each.
The identities of the
individuals have been kept anonymous. They are all isolating at home and the
Spanish health authorities have been notified.
According to La Liga protocol
for returning teams, training at all three clubs will have to be done
individually until a second round of tests is carried out.
It continues a rise in the
number of confirmed infections among La Liga sides after Atletico Madrid’s Sime
Vrsaljko and Angel Correa both tested positive on Saturday.
Real Madrid striker Mariano
Diaz and Sevilla midfielder Nemanja Gudelj have also been infected in the last
two weeks.
La Liga’s top flight completed
the 2019/20 season on July 19 and the plan is for the 2020/21 campaign to begin
on September 12, following the conclusion of the Champions League and Europa
League.
Spain is one of the worst-hit
countries by the pandemic and has seen an increase in cases in recent weeks.
The Spanish health ministry on Monday reported 8,618 new coronavirus infections
since Friday and 65 deaths from the virus over the previous seven days.
Valencia were starting their
pre-season preparations this week under new coach Javi Gracia, who was
appointed two weeks ago following the sacking of Albert Celades in June.
They were one of the first
clubs to confirm cases of coronavirus in March, when 35 percent of the squad,
including players and coaches, tested positive after playing a Champions League
match against Atalanta in Italy at the end of February.
Valencia finished ninth in La
Liga after a miserable season for the club, during which supporters grew
increasingly disillusioned with the ownership of Singaporean businessman Peter
Lim.
A club statement on Tuesday
confirmed the two positive cases for coronavirus. “The PCR and blood serum
tests carried out on Monday for the first team, coaching staff and employees
have detected two positive cases of COVID-19,” it read.
“Those who have tested
positive will remain isolated in their homes, in accordance with La Liga and
club protocols. The health authorities have been informed immediately of their
status.
“From the start of this health
crisis, Valencia have given special importance to measures to halt the
expansion of the pandemic, and will maintain a strict protocol to which all
members of the club are completely committed.”
