In preparation for the resumption of Laliga, the Spanish football association has directed all players to run a test for COVID-19.
Cadiz’s Rafael Gimenez. Photo credit: BBC.com
The Spanish footballer who refused to undergo COVID-19 testing as part of the first phase of the sport’s return to activity has defended his decision and promised to not receive a salary while he boycotts training and matches.
While players in the top two divisions returned to training grounds on Wednesday to undergo testing ahead of a planned return to action by June after a two-month halt due to the pandemic, Cadiz’s Rafael Gimenez, known as Fali, stayed home.
“I’m scared of infecting someone, that would ruin me and I’m thinking about health before money,” the defender, 26, told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
“I’m worried about the health of my daughters and my family. I was the first person to say that I will not earn a wage in this period and if even one Euro enters my account I’ll give it back.”
Cadiz currently leads Spain’s second division and are well placed to be promoted to La Liga for the first time in 15 years when action resumes in June after being postponed in March due to the pandemic, which has claimed over 26,000 lives in Spain.
Players at Barcelona and Real Madrid started to undergo coronavirus tests on Wednesday as La Liga clubs planned to return to restricted training ahead of the proposed resumption of the season next month.
Barca captain Lionel Messi and France international Antoine Griezmann were among players pictured arriving one by one in their cars at the club’s training centre early Wednesday morning.
Players at Madrid, including Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema, also underwent health checks at Real’s training base on the outskirts of the city. Results from the coronavirus tests are typically known within 48 hours.
The testing is part of the league’s strict medical protocol with which teams must comply before a return to training. Atletico Madrid, who will also carry out tests Wednesday, are aiming to resume training immediately once the results are known if all goes to plan.
“It’s been a very strange time for us. We’ve never gone as long without touching a ball and we are eager for it all to restart,” said Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente.
“Each week they sent us training programmes adjusted a bit to each player and I think we are ready to return.”
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