Athletes have work to obey distance in celebrations
Ball on one side, goalkeeper on the other. This is not exactly the social distance to which the protocols of health around the world refer, but, it is like the inaugural goal of the return of the Spanish Football Championship after 92 days of stoppage due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus (covid-19). It was up to Argentine striker Lucas Ocampos, from a penalty (marked with the aid of the video referee), to open the scoring for Sevilla in the local classic against Betis, and the Brazilian defender Fernando the goal that decided the score at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium this Thursday (11).
In the victory of the hosts by 2 to 0, the party was limited to Sevilla’s own players and coaching staff, since the protocol for resuming football provides for closed gates. A video from the website of the Spanish newspaper Marca, released before the ball rolled, shows policemen surrounding the outside of the stadium to avoid the presence of fans on the perimeter, as well as protective barriers and the monitoring of a helicopter.
The document prepared by the league also recommends that the players minimize the maximum the compliments when celebrating goals. The guidance was not exactly followed by the Sevilla players, who embraced Ocampos effusively after the striker hit the net in the 10th minute of the second half. It was no different when Fernando, following an Ocampos heel pass, swerved towards the Betis goal. In addition to the starters, the reserve athletes, who warmed up behind the sideline (respecting the distance), went to celebrate with the Brazilian. Athletes unrelated to Sevilla, wearing masks and away from each other, vibrated in isolation in the stands.
One of the novelties of the return of the Spanish Championship was the release of up to five substitutions due to the athletes’ long downtime. On the bench, players were instructed to use masks and gloves, with the exception of the coach. The turnover at the bench was significant, as both teams made the 10 possible substitutions in the match. And Betis would still do one more if possible, since, in the final minutes, defender Marc Bartra complained of cramps.
The result of this Thursday’s only game led Sevilla to 50 points, six behind vice-leader Real Madrid and eight from Barcelona, first place – both have one game less. Betis, in turn, parked at 33 points and is in 12th place, but could drop to 14th place following the 28th round. On Friday (12), two games continue the resumption of the Spanish Championship. Granada (9th) receives Getafe (4th) at 2:30 pm (from Brasília). At 5pm (Brasília time), Valencia (7th) and Levante (13th) make another local classic.
