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The positives for coronavirus registered in Fuenlabrada, Almería, Zaragoza, Seville and Real Madrid along with the worrisome outbreak of the pandemic in Catalonia It is the argument that Naples clings to to pressure UEFA and demand that the return of the knockout stages of the Champions League be played on neutral ground. Italians don’t want to step on the Camp Nou after the alarming words of Quim Torra last Monday, in which he warned of a “worrying situation” and threatened with a new confinement: “We are facing the 10 most important days of this summer, to find out if with the solidarity of all we can delay this critical situation, because if we do not succeed, we will have to back down ».
Although the risk for the Naples squad is practically nil Taking into account the little contact with the outside that it will have after landing in El Prat, its president has not lost the opportunity to put pressure on UEFA to prevent the second part of the tie from being played at the Camp Nou on August 8. “I call UEFA all the time, but it’s embarrassing. You hear great fears from Spain and they pass the subject. How long would it take to say that we played in Portugal, Germany or Switzerland? “Acknowledged Aurelio De Laurentiis. The transalpine president was forceful in his criticism and demands: «It seems that we are in school. No one in UEFA knows how to do business, and also with our money. If they decided that the Champions League will be played in Portugal and the Europa League in Germany, we could also go there ». He ended his complaints by commenting that “I do not understand why should we go to a city that currently has big problems».
Although UEFA is no stranger to what is happening in Spain and especially in Catalonia, He does not intend to be coerced by no one but will not take risks unnecessarily either. The evolution of the Covid-19 in soccer is being monitored by the European body and permanent contacts are maintained with the health authorities to minimize the risks of contagion. Within this monitoring is framed the request for a report to the Health Department of the Generalitat on the state of outbreaks in Catalonia.
Although UEFA manages a plan B (dispute the return of the eighth in Porto or Guimaraes) in case the Catalan government discouraged the dispute of the meeting at the Camp Nou, the truth is that at the moment nothing makes one think of a change of venue. “We are monitoring the situation and in contact with the competent local authorities. The game is scheduled to take place in Barcelona, as planned, “UEFA’s solvent sources told ABC.
In fact, the entity chaired by Aleksander Ceferin He already has in his possession a report by the Catalan Department of Health in which any risk of contagion in the game next week is ruled out. “There will be no problem with this match. We are working to be a safe area from now on, but also for many months. Basic measures, such as hand hygiene, distance and masks, are the best guarantee to be able to do everything, including a football match, which it will be behind closed doors and therefore it can be done safely», Alba Vergés, Minister of Health of the Generalitat, reassured. At Barcelona they are absolutely convinced that it will be possible to play at the Camp Nou. The report of the health authorities and the fact that tourists have not been prohibited from entering Barcelona is optimistic on the noble floor of the Barça club and also on the coaching staff.
“Catalonia is safe”
Even in Torra’s alarming message last Monday there were protrusions to hold on to. While the President of the Generalitat asked the Catalans to reduce their social activity, he sent a message of calm to tourism: «Catalonia is safe. It is a responsible tourist destination», He pointed out, in the same line that Vergés has now spoken. The Catalan Government makes it clear that all measures have been implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus and ensure the safety of those who live in Barcelona or travel to Barcelona. In addition, as published by Ace, the Secretary of Public Health, Josep Maria Argimon, has sent a letter to UEFA in which he assures that Barcelona-Naples “can be played” and that “there are no concerns related to public health” that they risk playing behind closed doors, while making it clear that Barcelona was a “safe and responsible” destination.
UEFA is following the same protocol in Manchester, Turin and Munich, where they also monitor the evolution of the coronavirus. The alternative to Camp Nou or to some of these scenarios would be Portugal, where the playoffs for the quarterfinals, semifinals and the Champions League final are scheduled to be played.
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