Empty Camp Nou to host Napoli game
BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Champions League round of 16 return match against Napoli on March 18 has been ordered to be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak, both clubs announced yesterday.
“The Champions League match scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, between FC Barcelona and Napoli, will be played at Camp Nou behind closed doors,” the Spanish giants said on Twitter.
Barcelona said the match would be played without spectators in line with recommendations from the regional Catalan government.
The decision was taken following a meeting between club officials and Catalan medical staff earlier yesterday.
“The decision was taken on medical grounds,” Catalonia’s health chief Joan Graux said following the meeting.
Napoli, meanwhile, were forced to deny press reports that they had asked for the match to be postponed.
“Napoli abides by decisions taken by the Italian government and Uefa,” the Italian club tweeted, describing the reports as fake news. The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg in Naples.
Meanwhile, Spain’s La Liga confirmed yesterday that first and second division matches in the country will be staged behind closed doors for at least two weeks due to coronavirus.
The measures follow the decision of the Spanish High Council of Sports that all sporting events in Spain at state and international level should be played without fans to limit the spread of Covid-19.
In Germany, today’s Rhine derby between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Cologne will be the first Bundesliga game to be played behind closed doors due to the virus, local authorities announced yesterday.
FOREST OWNER HAS VIRUS Vangelis Marinakis, owner of Greek league leaders Olympiakos, said yesterday he had coronavirus, two days before his team’s Europa League clash with Wolves that is to be held behind closed doors.
Marinakis, who is also owner of English second-tier club Nottingham Forest, said he was taking “all necessary measures” and “feeling well”.
“I am following the instructions of doctors. I strongly [advise] all my fellow citizens to do the same,” Marinakis, 52, said on his Facebook page.