Real Madrid urge fans to stay at home if Zidane's side win Liga title
Real Madrid have issued a statement about Covid-19 protocols with Los Blancos on the verge of the title. The authorities have also urged caution.
Real Madrid have issued a statement urging fans not to gather at the Cibeles fountain in the centre of the Spanish capital – the traditional meeting point for Madridistas after a club success – in the event that Zinedine Zidane’s side beat Barcelona to the Liga title this season. The LFP, the Spanish Football Federation, the Madrid regional government and he Ministry of Culture and Sports all joined Real Madrid in calling for fans to observe to observe Covid-19 protocols if Los Blancos lift the trophy.
Madrid fans traditionally throng the Cibeles fountain after silverware is secured but with the capital still feeling its way back towards normality after being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, all relevant authorities and Real Madrid have called for common sense to prevail.
Zidane’s side are two points from the title after securing a 2-1 victory away at Granada and will seal it if they beat Villarreal at the Alfredo di Stéfano on Thursday. Barcelona host Osasuna on the same day as they seek to prevent the title going to Madrid for the first time since 2016-17 when Zidane led the Bernabéu outfit to the championship during his first stint in charge.
Real Madrid Covid-19 statement in full
Real Madrid C. F. calls on its club members and supporters not to gather in Cibeles in the event that the team secures the LaLiga title.
1.- We are all aware of the difficult situation that we are experiencing and the efforts being made across society to counter the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Football is also playing its part in this and, with everyone's help, we managed to resume the competition in extremely complex circumstances.
2.- With just two matchdays of the LaLiga season to be played, both our team and F.C. Barcelona have a chance of being crowned champions.
3.- In the event that Real Madrid are crowned champions, our players will not visit the usual points of celebration, in particular, the Plaza de Cibeles and we therefore also ask our club members and supporters that, in the event that we secure the title, they did not gather in these places. In this regard, all of us must make a contribution, as has been the case to date, and show the utmost responsibility to avoid the risk of contagion.
4.- Real Madrid thanks our members and supporters in advance for their understanding. All of the effort and work put in by our players, coaching staff and the club towards this possible title success has always been done with a view to sharing the triumph with our fans, but we are aware that the current situation obliges us to maximise the necessary precautionary measures.
5.- Real Madrid feels the duty to issue this important call in a show of utmost responsibility and with the firm belief that any possible triumph involving our team must not give rise to a massive backward step in the battle we are all waging against this pandemic.