Nine football stadiums approved in Portugal for league restart

Lisbon, May 21 (IANS) Nine stadiums have been approved to host the football matches in Portugal once the league restarts after the COVID-19 stoppage.

Portugal’s top league Primeira Liga in a statement said that the further six need improvements and would be subject to a second inspection by the government’s Directorate-General of Health (DGS) health directorate.

The home grounds of Vitoria Guimaraes, Tondela, Porto, Sporting, Benfica, Maritimo, Braga and Portimonense were given the green light along with the national team training centre in Lisbon which will also be used for some matches.

“As for the following stadiums, namely, Bonfim, Capital do Movel, Cidade de Barcelos, Clube Desportivo das Aves, Bessa and Rio Ave, the DGS has indicated several necessary corrections so that they can be supervised again by the health authorities,” the league said.

Primeira Liga, which has been suspended since March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, is set to return on June 4.

Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa had last month given permission for the league to resume behind closed doors from May 30. Each club has 10 fixtures left to play with Porto a point clear of Benfica at the top of the table.

–IANS

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