COVID-19 enemy of sport: La Liga suspended, Real Madrid footballers and basketball players in isolation

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Spanish football league La Liga has been suspended for two weeks following news that Real Madrid has entered a two-week quarantine.

The Spanish club announced that precautionary measures have been taken after a basketball player of that club was infected with the coronavirus, and the decision was made because the basketball and football teams share facilities at Real's Ciudad sports center, reports Eurosport.

"Given the circumstances known this morning, and the quarantine established at Real Madrid, and the possibility of infection among players from other clubs, La Liga considers that the circumstances have already been established to continue the next phase of the protocol for action against COVID-19," reads a statement from La Liga.

This practically means that the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, in which Real visits Manchester City, will almost certainly be postponed.

The coronavirus has affected the world sports calendar, resulting in PSG-Dortmund and Atalanta-Valencia playing behind closed doors in the Champions League, while Cristiano Ronaldo is in quarantine in Madeira after Juventus teammate Daniele Rugani was infected with the coronavirus.

The Spanish Football Federation announced on Wednesday that it had postponed the Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, originally scheduled for April 18, to ensure the match is played with full stands.