• A man wearing a protective face mask poses during the presentation of official FC Barcelona brand masks. EPA
    A man wearing a protective face mask poses during the presentation of official FC Barcelona brand masks. EPA
  • A man wearing a protective face mask poses during the presentation of official FC Barcelona brand masks. EPA
    A man wearing a protective face mask poses during the presentation of official FC Barcelona brand masks. EPA
  • An employee places a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona on a shelf at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    An employee places a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona on a shelf at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
  • A supporter poses wearing a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona after buying it at the FC Barcelona. AFP
    A supporter poses wearing a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona after buying it at the FC Barcelona. AFP
  • A supporter poses wearing a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona after buying it at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    A supporter poses wearing a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona after buying it at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
  • A supporter poses wearing a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona after buying it at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    A supporter poses wearing a mask bearing the logo of FC Barcelona after buying it at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
  • An employee places a mask with the logo of FC Barcelona on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    An employee places a mask with the logo of FC Barcelona on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
  • An employee places a mask with the logo of FC Barcelona on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    An employee places a mask with the logo of FC Barcelona on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
  • An employee places the mask with the FC Barcelona's logo on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    An employee places the mask with the FC Barcelona's logo on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
  • An employee places a mask with the logo of FC Barcelona on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP
    An employee places a mask with the logo of FC Barcelona on a mannequin at the FC Barcelona store. AFP

Coronavirus: Barcelona launch protective club masks as La Liga return nears


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Barcelona fans can now go one step further than just wearing the club shirt to show their support for the club during the coronavirus pandemic.

The club has launched a range of protective masks with three different colours.

The masks cost €18 (Dh72) each, and were greeted by a mixed reaction from social media users, some of whom questioned not just the cost but the club's move to monetise the health situation in Spain.

Made locally in Catalonia, the masks use 100 per cent ecological cotton and fulfil all health requirements and regulations, according to the club website.

"It is a hygiene mask for everyday use that is reusable and its protection against the transmission of Covid-19 is guaranteed to up to 40 washes with a recommended use of 8 hours between washes," it said.

"With the use of masks to stop the spread of Covid-19 now obligatory in many countries, the club has wished to respond to the needs of fans and members who wish to show their identification with Barça via an official product of quality and that offers a high level of protection."

  • Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba compete for the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba compete for the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Lionel Messi during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Lionel Messi during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Martin Braithwaite controls the ball under pressure from Alex Collado (L) and Ramon Rodriguez 'Monchu' (C) during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Martin Braithwaite controls the ball under pressure from Alex Collado (L) and Ramon Rodriguez 'Monchu' (C) during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Alex Collado during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Alex Collado during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Ronald Araujo on the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Ronald Araujo on the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Ronald Araujo during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Ronald Araujo during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Inaki Pena during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Inaki Pena during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Marc-Andre Ter Stegen during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Marc-Andre Ter Stegen during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Norberto Murara Neto during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Norberto Murara Neto during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Sergio Busquets plays the ball under pressure from Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Sergio Busquets plays the ball under pressure from Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Sergio Busquets and Ansu Fati compete for the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Sergio Busquets and Ansu Fati compete for the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Arturo Vidal during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi and Arturo Vidal during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Nelson Semedo during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Nelson Semedo during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Arthur Melo controls the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Arthur Melo controls the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Clement Lenglet during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Clement Lenglet during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Jordi Alba during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Jordi Alba during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Riqui Puig during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Riqui Puig during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Sergi Roberto during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Sergi Roberto during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Frenkie De Jong during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Frenkie De Jong during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Frenkie De Jong during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Frenkie De Jong during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Barcelona manager Quique Setien looks on during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Barcelona manager Quique Setien looks on during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Riqui Puig controls the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Riqui Puig controls the ball during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Luis Suarez during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Luis Suarez during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Gerard Pique during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Jordi Alba during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Jordi Alba during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
  • Martin Braithwaite during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images
    Martin Braithwaite during a training session at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Getty Images

New designs may be created depending on demand and public response, the club said.

La Liga is set to resume from June 8 after three months of shutdown.

Spain was one of the worst-hit by the outbreak, but the situation has improved. More than 235,000 cases and 26,000 deaths have been recorded in the country.

"Spain has done what it needed to do and now new horizons can open for everyone," said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday.

"The time has come to recover many of our daily activities. From June 8 La Liga will be able to return."

The likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid have returned to training in recent days.

Madrid and Barcelona emerged from one of the world's strictest lockdowns, with parks and cafe terraces open for the first time in more than two months.

It is not yet clear when fans will be allowed to attend matches again.