Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
Former Real Madrid and Watford defender Juanfran Moreno has slammed La Liga for their “recklessness” in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak saying “there will surely be more cases in Spanish clubs”.
Spanish defender Moreno, 31, made the comments in an exclusive interview with Spanish newspaper ‘Marca’ from the Turkish city of Alanya where his current Super Lig club Alanyaspor is based.
Moreno praised Turkey for how they have managed to keep from spreading the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, saying: “ We started to play behind closed doors this season when there was just one case.
“In the end, everybody understood that the coronavirus is spreading across the world and Turkey has taken it very seriously since the beginning. They haven’t let the virus in.”
There have been a reported 47 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Turkey with no deaths from the virus as the number has risen to 182,478 worldwide cases and 7,415 deaths.
Moreno added: “The club has been disinfecting everything since summer. They have been very conscious of the risks for a while now but there is no psychosis.
“The Super Lig want to play behind closed doors until May. People are very respectful of what the government says.”
The former Getafe defender went on to slam La Liga, currently suspended, after reports said 35 percent of the Valencia squad tested positive for COVID-19 saying: “It is complicated and there will surely be more positive cases in the Spanish clubs.
“It is something serious and I was very critical that La Liga did not stop. I did not understand it. I found it really surprising that the last matchday was played with fans.
“In Turkey, with one case, all the stadiums were closed and in Spain, with deaths from the coronavirus, the stadiums were packed, there were manifestations and rallies.
“There has been some recklessness. Now we all have to roll up our sleeves and be conscientious. We have to stay home.”
Spain is currently on lockdown as it has declared itself in a state of alarm after becoming one of the countries most affected by the virus reporting 11,178 cases and 491 deaths.
The lockdown has caused La Liga to be suspended until further notice. It is unclear if the remainder of the season will be played, however, La Liga president Javier Tebas has told local media “we will finish the competition.”
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