Madrid: Heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona were among La Liga teams to resume training in groups of 14 players at a time on Monday as the sport looks to get back on its feet in the country.
All football in the country has been suspended since March in the wake of coronavirus pandemic that has left the entire world reeling.
In the last few weeks, players have been slowly and steadily making their way back to their respective training grounds. What started with footballers practicing individually, last week became up to 10 players at a time and now, the number has risen up to 14.
Full squad training is now expected to resume next week onwards as the authorities are targeting mid-June as a possible return date to resume the league.
"We've gone through some very difficult and complicated moments during this pandemic and we don't want to jump the gun," La Liga President Javier Tebas had said in an interview.
Tebas is also hoping to kickstart the season with the blockbuster Seville derby involving Sevilla and Real Betis.
"There is the possibility that there will be a match on the 11th of June, which would be a unique match, with a possible tribute for all the deceased. I wish that date could be confirmed. We would like it to be the Seville derby, at 10 at night," Tebas said on a show.
"Our idea is to be able to confirm the dates for the first four matchdays this coming week. The hours will depend on where the game is played, it will always be taken into account. During the week, the schedules will be late. On weekends, there will be three schedules," he added.
Tebas also said that the organisers of the La Liga are working on whom to allow inside the stadiums as the safety of everyone involved is of prime concern.
"The issue of the media also remains to be seen. Everyone wants to be in the stadiums, but that is going to be impossible," Tebas said.
"We have to work out that regulation. We have to look out for everyone's safety. We will establish the norms, but they surely will not satisfy everyone," he added.
