Real Madrid-Cádiz to go ahead in spite of covid-19 cases

Spain is experiencing a new wave of covid-19 cases and sport has been affected. In spite of the coronavirus protocols, which are more lax this year than in 2020, the number of positive cases among footballers and coaching staff has been growing. Seven Real Madrid players and one of Carlo Ancelotti's assistants tested positive for the virus this week but LaLiga have confirmed that Sunday's league game against Cádiz will go ahead as planned.

The RFEF and LaLiga have adapted competition rules for the top two divisions to deal with unexpected rises on covid-19 cases. The rules which determine whether a match can be postponed and how many first team players must be available for a game to go ahead are very clear. Article 10.2 of the competition rules states: "For a match to take place, each of the two teams must be able to count on a minimum of seven members of the first team squad". However, there are additional clauses which refer to the situation concerning covid-19.

Vaccination levels among LaLiga players are not 100% which means that covid-19 protocols remain in place. Covid-19 clauses stipulate that the number of available first team players needed for a game to be played drops from seven to five. For a match to go ahead, a minimum of 13 must be available - five first team players plus eight players from the reserves or youth teams.

What happens when a club doesn't even have the minimum number of players to put out a team? The competition rule state: "When a club does not have the minimum number of players available, prior to a game or in the run-up to a game due to any cause, and are unable to make up the numbers with reserves or youth team players, the referee will be have the power to cancel the game".