Real Madrid to play next two home games behind closed doors amidst Coronavirus outbreak

The Spanish health authorities have decided that the next two weekends of La Liga and the Segunda Division will be played behind closed doors to prevent further spread of Coronavirus, starting this Friday when Real Madrid take on Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu. This will also affect Real Madrid’s home match against Valencia, which will be played on Saturday, March 21st, right after Los Blancos take on Manchester City in the return leg of the Champions League’s Round of 16.

In accordance with information from the High Council of sports (CSD), LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank matches will be played behind closed doors, starting today (March 10) and for at least the next two

LaLiga will continue to be in permanent contact with the Ministry of Health and the CSD to follow its recommendations and/or decisions, prioritizing the health of fans, players, club employees, journalists, etc., due to the COVID-19 health crisis.

For several weeks, LaLiga has been working on alternative plans in coordination with UEFA in case health authorities decide to suspend any match, creating a plan to play these matches.
Source: La Liga

This decision means that a handful of interesting games like the Sevilla Derby between Sevilla and Betis and the Valencia Derby between Valencia and Levante will be played behind close doors.

In Italy, the Serie A has been cancelled until April 3rd, meaning that a potential suspension of La Liga is not entirely ruled out depending on how the Coronavirus outbreak develops in Spain over the next two weeks.