The Guardian has reported that the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid, is to be used to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, the specific usage of the 78,000 capacity stadium is to store medical supplies. This comes at a time where COVID-19 is majorly damaging Spain as a whole.
Real Madrid to Use Stadium to Fight Coronavirus
A Great Move from the Club
The head of Madrid’s regional government, Isabel Díaz, has publicly thanked the club for this gesture.
She described the move as a “big donation in health materials” after a conversation with the club’s president, Florentino Pérez. Even city rivals Atletico Madrid have donated to the cause.
Consequently, the Spanish Council and Real Madrid have officially announced that medical supplies will be stored inside the Bernabeu.
Spain’s Efforts to Fight the Coronavirus as a Whole
As of 26 March 2020, Spain has been reported via Worldometer to have 56,197 cases. There have also been a reported 4,145 deaths. However, on a lighter note, there have also been 7,015 who have recovered from COVID-19.
Football has been suspended in the country until further notice. So, with clubs worried about what they will do, they have decided to take matters into their own hands. Real Madrid are doing great things by giving up their stadium to aid the fight.
The move continues a trend of emergency solutions to the crisis, with buildings being adapted to aid the state. A field hospital with 5,000 beds was erected in Madrid’s IFEMA conference centre and the ice rink nearby has been converted into a morgue.
Madrid Aren’t the Only Big Spanish Club to Potentially Make Big Moves
Furthermore, on the subject of clubs, Barcelona players could even be taking massive pay cuts amid the pandemic.
It could be as high as 70 per cent for as long as coronavirus lockdown lasts in Spain. The players are understood to be receptive to a reduction in salary and discussions are ongoing. However, consultation with the AFE has led to the first proposal being rejected. The situation is still developing though.
Either way, these moves from the big three Spanish clubs could prove to be huge in the steps towards eradicating the virus.
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