Espanyol Wiretap

La Liga matches can resume behind closed doors starting on June 8th, according to Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez.

La Liga president Javier Tebas recently stated that he wants matches to begin around June 12th.

"Spain has done what it should and now new horizons are opening for everyone. The time has come to bring back many day-to-day activities," said Sanchez.

"From 8 June, La Liga will be back. Spanish football has a huge following but it will not be the only recreational activity that will return."

5 players from La Liga's first and second division have tested positive for COVID-19.

"Between the clubs of [the first and second divisions], five positive cases have been detected among players, all of them asymptomatic and in the final stage of the illness," released the league in a statement.

The players, who are in isolation, will be able to rejoin their teammates when they test negative twice over a span of 72 hours.

Barcelona were one of several clubs to resume training on Friday.

Atletico Madrid and Espanyol are cutting player wages to make up for lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barcelona have also cut wages due to the suspension of La Liga.

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin wrote in a letter that the cuts had “a single objective[:] to guarantee the survival of the club.” 

Espanyol announced that the wage cuts would only apply to the men's and women's first team to the B team, and both U19 sides.

Real Valladolid announced that none of their staff would be cut while matches were suspended. 

The Royal Spanish Football Federation announced a $540 million bailout for clubs in Spain's first and second division to help cover costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

La Liga suspended their schedule indefinitely due to the severity of the virus in Spain.

"We want to offer La Liga the possibility to sit down and get the financing for first and second division clubs. We have spoken to several banks and are able to offer a credit line worth €500m to first and second division clubs that are struggling and that can be repaid in the next four, five or six years," said Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales also said that a potential May return for the league is impossible given the current state of the country.

"We think it's practically impossible to resume competitions at the beginning of May. We have temporary hospitals being put up in Madrid and the military emergency units [UME] are out on the streets," said Rubiales. 

La Liga president Javier Tebas said he was confident that league would complete its season.

La Liga matchday was suspended two weeks due to fears surrounding COVID-19.

Tebas said he was fearful of the financial ramifications for a lost season.

"We're working on that other virus which is seeing what happens with our contracts around the world. We have 100 different obligations with 100 operators around the world and, if there's no broadcasting, there's no earning. We're working to see if we can fit in some calendars in order to soften the economic blow that will arrive.

"It's difficult for Europe's big clubs too, not just the small ones. They play in Europe and also earn lots [of money]. If the competitions are suspended, everything is revised and revenues are a lot lower. All the budgets of the teams are going to be comprised if the season doesn't get finished, but I'm convinced that it will get finished," said Tebas. 

La Liga suspended its season for the next two matchdays after Real Madrid players went into quarantine.

Real Madrid were quarantined after a basketball player tested positive for coronavirus.

"Given the circumstances that are coming to light this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible cases in players from other clubs, La Liga considers it appropriate to continue to the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19. As a result, in accordance with the measures established in Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, [La Liga] agrees to postpone at least the next two match days," released the league in a statement.

La Liga matches were previously scheduled to be played behind closed doors.

La Liga will donate 5 tons of disinfectant gel to the Chinese city Wuhan, which has been at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

League officials also invited Wuhan Zall FC in the Chinese Super League to their Madrid headquarters as a sign of solidarity.

"We wanted to have this symbolic gesture to express and share all of our support and courage to the Chinese people, especially that of Wuhan, just as the rest of the other countries that are being affected," said La Liga's director of business and development Oscar Mayo. 

The team arrived in Spain for preseason training in January, but are unable to return to Wuhan.

Espanyol, owned by China's Rastar Group, donated 450,000 masks to the region last month.

Inaki Williams said he was racially abused by Espanyol supporters during a 1-1 draw.

Williams said the incident occurred as he was subbed out in the 69th minute and walking in front of Espanyol ultras.

"I leave here feeling sad because of the draw and because I've been subjected to racist insults. It's something that no black player, or any player, wants to hear. It's completely out of place," tweeted Williams following the match. 

Espanyol said that they would investigate the incident. 

Striker Raul de Tomas joined Espanyol from Benfica, breaking the club's record transfer fee.

Espanyol paid Benfica over $22 million for de Tomas.

De Tomas, who came through Real Madrid's youth academy, scored just 1 goal in 11 matches this season with Benfica. 

Espanyol sacked manager Pablo Machin after 10 matches.

Machin got 5 points out of 10 matches as the team remain on the bottom of the table.

Espanyol will now look to hire their third manager of the season.