La Liga Suspended Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Real Madrid have had to self-isolate following a basketball player testing positive, leading to the governing body suspending upcoming matches.

La Liga has officially announced the suspension of the next two matchdays following the news that Real Madrid have been forced into coronavirus quarantine.

Several of Spain's football fixtures had already been disrupted by concerns over the spread of the virus, with matches either being rescheduled or forced to take place behind closed doors.

Now, however, with Madrid having gone into isolation after learning that a member of their basketball team – who use the same training facilities as the football team - had tested positive for Covid-19, things have become even more complicated.

A statement from La Liga reads: "La Liga has decided given the circumstances that have come to light this morning, such as the quarantine put in place at Real Madrid and possible positive cases at other clubs, to continue with the next phase of the protocol of action against Covid-19.

"In accordance with measures established in the Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, it has been agreed that the competition will be postponed for the next two matchdays.

"Said decision will be re-evaluated after the completion of the quarantines undertaken in the affected clubs and in other possible situations that may arise.

"As organiser of the competition, La Liga has communicated the decision to the RFEF, the CSD and the clubs."

La Liga is far from the first league to be affected by the ongoing crisis, with Italy's prime minister Giuseppe Conte having suspended all Serie A games until further notice as the country struggles to contain the outbreak.

Since then, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive and has gone into self-isolation, while Inter have cancelled all competitive activities after Rugani was present in the clash between the two Serie A sides.