Coronavirus: Spain suspends La Liga football matches as Real Madrid squad put into quarantine

Segunda Division football matches also suspended due to Covid-19 outbreak

Spain's La Liga and Segunda Division football matches have been suspended for at least two weeks due to coronavirus, the league's organising body said.

The league's statement said the decision came after Real Madrid put its squad into quarantine, and that it had notified the clubs, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and the national sports ministry of the postponements.

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"Given the circumstances known this morning, referring to the quarantine established at Real Madrid and the possible positives in players from other clubs, La Liga considers that the circumstances are already in place to continue with the next phase of the protocol of action against Covid-19.

"Consequently, in accordance with the measures established in Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, agrees to suspend at least the next two rounds of matches.

"Said decision will be re-evaluated after the completion of the quarantines decreed in the affected clubs and other possible situations that may arise.

"La Liga, as organiser of the competition, has proceeded to communicate it to the RFEF [Royal Spanish Football Federation], the CSD [National Sports Council] and the clubs."

Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that Real Madrid sent all of the members of its football and basketball teams home after one of the sports club's basketball players tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Real, who are due to play Eibar in La Liga on Friday without any spectators, and had already cancelled all pre-game media duties to prevent the spread of the virus, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The two squads share facilities, which have been closed, with Euroleague basketball temporarily suspending all matches until further notice.

Manchester City were due to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium next Tuesday. European governing body Uefa confirmed on Thursday that the return leg, where Real trail 2-1, has been postponed.

Real Madrid said in a statement: "Real Madrid reports that a player from our first basketball team has tested positive after testing for the Covid-19 coronavirus.

"Since then, the recommendation has been made to quarantine both the basketball first team and the football first team, given that the two squads share facilities in Madrid.

"Likewise, it has been decided to close the facilities of our sports city and it is also recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who provide their services in Real Madrid City remain in quarantine."

All national league basketball games have also been postponed, Real's statement added.