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...

Barca face selection crisis amid COVID outbreak

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 29 December 2021 04:21

Barcelona have been struck by a COVID-19 outbreak to leave them struggling to field a team for Sunday's LaLiga game against Mallorca.

Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi all tested positive for the virus on Wednesday to take the number of players isolating at the club to seven. Jordi Alba, Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves and Alejandro Balde had all tested positive earlier this week.

- ESPN FC 100: The top male players and managers of 2021
- Ronaldo to Barca? Why Spain have day of prank stories
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

Barca have said all seven players feel fine and are quarantining at home in line with the league's protocol.

Five more players -- Sergino Dest, Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Philippe Coutinho and Neto -- will be tested later on Wednesday after receiving an extra day off over the Christmas period.

The outbreak leaves Barca extremely short heading into this weekend's game against Mallorca, their first match since a 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Dec. 21.

Sergio Busquets is suspended for the trip to San Moix on Sunday, as is Gavi, who has now tested positive for coronavirus.

Barca also have a lengthy injury list, with Dest, Sergi Roberto, Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati and Pedri all absent for their last game. Dest, Pedri and Ansu are all nearing a return to action, though.

New signing Ferran Torres, who completed a move to Camp Nou from Manchester City on Tuesday, cannot be officially registered until Jan. 3.

Mallorca, meanwhile, have said that they have detected four cases among their first-team squad and three more among coaching staff ahead of Barca's visit.

The Omicron variant of the virus has seen cases spiral in the Spanish top-flight.

Rayo Vallecano have said 17 first-team players have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as coach Andoni Iraola, and have requested this weekend's game against Atletico Madrid be called off.

Real Sociedad are among the other clubs hardest hit by the latest wave. They announced 10 cases within their first-team bubble on Dec. 27.

A LaLiga spokesman told ESPN there was "no news" regarding possible postponements this weekend, but the league have made their stance on games going ahead clear in the past.

Granada were forced to play a game against Sociedad last season after an outbreak. They ended the fixture with just four members of their senior squad on the pitch.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and league organisers had rejected Granada's request to postpone the game because they were able to field seven players from their first-team squad from the start. Rules state that matches can only be postponed if five or fewer first-team players are available.

Read 189 times

Soccer

Tebas: LaLiga could play in U.S. as soon as '25

Tebas: LaLiga could play in U.S. as soon as '25

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaLiga president Javier Tebas said the Spanish league is hopeful of...

Fernandes magic saves Man Utd in comeback win

Fernandes magic saves Man Utd in comeback win

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes came to his side's rescue with two goals in a 4-2 home vic...

Mbappé makes history to put PSG on brink of title

Mbappé makes history to put PSG on brink of title

Kylian Mbappé scored twice to make more history with Paris Saint-Germain and put the club on the ver...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Nets' Fernandez: Retaining Claxton a 'priority'

Nets' Fernandez: Retaining Claxton a 'priority'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- New Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wasted no time...

The biggest storylines coming into two massive Game 2s

The biggest storylines coming into two massive Game 2s

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, the two 1-seeds in th...

Baseball

Jays place Kiermaier (hip) on IL, call up Barger

Jays place Kiermaier (hip) on IL, call up Barger

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on the 10-d...

Giants' Snell scratched from start, placed on IL

Giants' Snell scratched from start, placed on IL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe San Francisco Giants scratched left-hander Blake Snell from his...

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