Spanish second division thrown into chaos after 16 positive Covid-19 tests at

On Jul 24, 2020

Spanish second division in chaos after 16 players and staff at Fuenlabrada test positive for Covid-19 leaving them quarantined in hotel (with one player in hospital)… but club are determined to play against Deportivo La Coruna in bid to make play-offs

Outbreak of Covid-19 at Spanish second-tier club Fuenlabrada caused chaos
16 players and staff members have tested positive for the virus so far
One of their players admitted himself to hospital having tested positive
Rest of the squad remain in quarantine in a hotel in A Coruna
They were meant to play Deportivo La Coruna in their final league fixture
But this was postponed, leaving the Second Division schedule incomplete

Published: 09:07 EDT, 24 July 2020 | Updated: 09:57 EDT, 24 July 2020

The conclusion of the second division season in Spain remains in chaos because of a coronavirus outbreak at play-off chasing Fuenlabrada, and on Friday the Madrid-based club announced one of their players had admitted himself to hospital having previously tested positive for COVID-19.

Spanish football looked to have safely negotiated the end of the pandemic-interrupted season with the conclusion of La Liga played out without problems last Sunday.

But ahead of the final round of matches in the second tier on Monday, Fuenlabrada announced six players in their travelling party for the away fixture against Deportivo La Coruna had tested positive for COVID-19.

Fuenlabrada player Chico Flores looks out the window of his hotel room in A Coruna, where the squad remain in quarantine after an outbreak of Covid-19 at the club

Jose Rodriguez leans out of his window with the players confined to their rooms

The Hotel Finisterre in A Coruna where the Fuenlabrada squad remain in quarantine

Other guests at the hotel check out after learning of the Fuenlabrada players’ positive tests

The game with relegation-threatened Deportivo was cancelled but the rest of the games were played.

After the conclusion of the other fixtures Deportivo were relegated and Elche moved above Fuenlabrada into sixth place qualifying them for the play-offs.

Fuenlabrada want to be able to contest their last game of the season but Elche argue Fuenlabrada now have an unfair advantage, playing after everyone else, because they would face a Deportivo side that know they are already relegated.

Fuenlabrada may also struggle to play their last game, if they are allowed, any time soon. Their squad remains in quarantine in a Coruna hotel.

Further tests on Thursday revealed six more positives taking the number of those with the virus at the club – including four members of staff who did not travel – to 16.

Fuenlabrada play Elche in a second division game prior to the outbreak within their squad

Deportivo La Coruna fans gather to greet their team bus before Monday night’s game with Fuenlabrada was postponed for health reasons

If Fuenlabrada play Deportivo and draw with…