Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu trusts Napoli will be able to play their Champions League clash at Camp Nou, despite a ban on direct flights. “This situation is out of the ordinary.”
The second leg of this Champions League Round of 16 tie is due to take place at Camp Nou next week.
Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu trusts Napoli will be able to play their Champions League clash at Camp Nou, despite a ban on direct flights. “This situation is out of the ordinary.”
The second leg of this Champions League Round of 16 tie is due to take place at Camp Nou next week.
It has been ordered behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but the announcement from the Spanish Government that all direct flights to and from Italy are banned as of tomorrow could cause problems.
“I am sure that the Napoli squad will be able to reach Barcelona,” Bartomeu told Spanish reporters.
“Flight cancellations aside, we also had the news this morning that it will be played behind closed doors. We had a meeting with the authorities today and they told us very firmly that it had to be this way.
“We are very sorry that this will end up damaging the fans, the clubs and the whole football world, but we are facing a situation that is out of the ordinary.
“Obviously, there will be an economic loss, not just for Barcelona, but all the clubs who are having to play behind closed doors. The financial damage is in the area of €6m, but as I said, that is not important right now.”
Meanwhile, the Spanish Players’ Association has also called for football to be suspended during the Coronavirus outbreak, as playing behind closed doors does not protect the players or club staff.
In France, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games will be played behind closed doors until April 15, with others in Germany and Spain also beginning to join in.
Meanwhile, the President of Greek side Olympiacos has tested positive for Coronavirus.