The Costa Rican sports leadership announced on Monday the resumption of the domestic club soccer tournament after two months of suspension to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The Union of First Division Clubs (UNAFUT) announced on Twitter that the current Clausura Tournament will be held Wednesdays and Sundays starting May 20, with a goal to conclude July 1.
The announcement of the resumption of the men’s championship, which had been suspended since March 17, came after the government announced a gradual opening of halted activities.
Matches will be played without spectators. Under Costa Rica’s timeline for reopening, even small crowds won’t be allowed at athletic events until mid-July, and most mass-gathering events have no timetable for their return.
“See you on May 20,” UNAFUT posted on Twitter. “The ball will roll with more hope, more passion and more strength for our fans.”
Costa Rica has begun to gradually lift the restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Over the last month, there has been a low level of infections, with an average of fewer than 10 new cases per day and low lethality.
The country has registered 801 cumulative cases of COVID-19, of which seven have died.
However, the Health Minister, Daniel Salas, warned that if there is a spike in COVID-19 infections, the government could be forced to reimpose stricter stay-at-home measures, including the suspension of football.
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UNAFUT announced the following schedule for the Clausura 2020:
- Match day 16: May 20
- Match day 17: May 24
- Match day 18: May 27
- Match day 19: May 31
- Match day 20: June 3
- Match day 21: June 7
- Match day 22: June 10
- Semifinal (Away leg): June 14
- Semifinal (Home leg): June 17
- Final (Away leg): June 21
- Final (Home leg): June 24
- ‘Gran Final’ (Away leg): June 28
- ‘Gran Final’ (Home leg): July 1
