Valencia’s home Champions League round-of-16 clash with Atalanta will be played behind closed doors, Spain’s health minister has announced.
Atalanta are based in Bergamo, which is in Lombardy — the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy — and their first meeting, which the Italian side won 4-1, led to a Spanish journalist contracting the virus.
Inter Milan, who have seen each of their last two Serie A matches postponed due to the virus, will face Getafe in their Europa League round-of-32 second leg in Spain behind closed doors.
“Valencia’s basketball clash with Olimpia Milano on March 5, the match between Valencia and Atalanta on March 10, Getafe vs. Inter on March 19 and Girona vs. Venezia on the same day which is a women’s basketball match,” health minister Salvador Illa said.
“These four matches plus any more which could materialise and fit this category will be behind closed doors. It is a congruent measure which the health authorities from other countries — including the north of Italy — have dictated.
“All the sporting events which include teams from zones considered a risk will be played behind closed doors.”
The death toll due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has, as of Monday reached 52, with the number of confirmed cases having risen to 1,835.