Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Xavi slams LaLiga's 'crazy' decision to play game

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 01 January 2022 08:52

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has said it is "crazy" this weekend's match against Mallorca is going ahead following a COVID-19 outbreak at the Catalan club.

Barca have 10 confirmed positive cases among their first-team squad and a further seven players either suspended, injured or a doubt for the game at San Moix.

However, LaLiga rules state that fixtures should be played if clubs have at least five first-team players available and can field a 13-man squad, with at least one goalkeeper, by drawing on the reserve team.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewer's guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more

"We will turn to the B team and we will go there to win the game, but we have 17 players missing," Xavi said at a news conference.

"I am worried. It seems crazy to me that [LaLiga] won't suspend it. It makes no sense to play. We're at the very limit. Common sense should have prevailed.

"The rules are very tough. Mallorca are in a similar situation, albeit not as severe. It's chaotic, but we will go there for the three points."

Sergino Dest, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Gavi, Dani Alves, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Balde and Samuel Umtiti all returned positive results earlier this week.

Xavi says Umtiti has since tested negative and could yet feature against Mallorca, but Sergio Busquets will definitely miss the game through suspension.

Martin Braithwaite and Sergi Roberto remained sidelined with injuries and while Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati and Pedri are all close to comebacks, Xavi said Sunday's match "may come too soon" for them.

Despite that, Xavi still has at least nine first-team players available -- Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Neto, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Gerard Pique, Oscar Mingueza, Frenkie de Jong, Riqui Puig and Luuk de Jong -- which means the game must go ahead.

B team players Nico Gonzalez, Ferran Jutgla Alvaro Sanz, Arnau Comas, Mika Marmol, Guillem Jaume, Lucas de Vega, Ilias Akhomach and Estanis Pedrola have all been training with the first team to make up the numbers this week.

Meanwhile, Xavi added that he's not given up hope of tying Dembele down to a new deal despite a setback in negotiations this week.

Dembele, 24, is out of contract in June and is now free to talk to other clubs with Barca and his agents still unable to reach an agreement over new terms.

"I am not disappointed," Xavi said of the situation. "It's a negotiation. Sometimes advisors and agents can be difficult. But Barca's position is clear and the process is ongoing.

"I am optimistic and I hope that Ousmane will make an effort [to renew]. He has a fantastic offer. There's always a back and forth."

Xavi also confirmed that tying Dembele down to a new deal would allow Barca the financial room to register "one or two signings" in January.

By getting the forward to commit to the club, Barca can spread the remaining amortisation payments on the transfer fee they paid for him in 2017 over the length of his new terms, creating room within their LaLiga-imposed spending limit of €97 million for the season.

Read 224 times

Soccer

Welcome to ... Wroxham? Meet the tiny club often confused with the Welsh sensation

Welcome to ... Wroxham? Meet the tiny club often confused with the Welsh sensation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWROXHAM (NOT WREXHAM), England -- Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney...

Lampard: Chelsea interim stint like 'babysitting'

Lampard: Chelsea interim stint like 'babysitting'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNewly appointed Coventry City manager Frank Lampard said he was rea...

Amorim: Utd have 'no excuses' not to beat Everton

Amorim: Utd have 'no excuses' not to beat Everton

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRuben Amorim is adamant there will be "no excuses" if Manchester Un...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Leaks, team meetings, losses: The factors driving the Sixers' dreadful start

Leaks, team meetings, losses: The factors driving the Sixers' dreadful start

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTHE JULY 6 POST on Daryl Morey's Instagram page is even more perfec...

Injury-plagued Beal hobbles off in loss to Nets

Injury-plagued Beal hobbles off in loss to Nets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Suns guard Bradley Beal limped off the court in the four...

Baseball

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose D. Hernandez was sus...

Crawford, 2-time WS champ with Giants, retires

Crawford, 2-time WS champ with Giants, retires

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Crawford is retiring after 14 major league...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated