Coronavirus: Gremio take to pitch in face masks in protest over having to play
Gremio director of football: "This protest makes implicit our support for the championship to be halted"
Monday 16 March 2020 06:08, UK
Players from Brazilian club Gremio took to the field wearing masks on Sunday in protest at having to play a match during the coronavirus pandemic.
The players, led by manager Renato Portaluppi, walked out of the tunnel to play Sao Luiz and lined up before the game wearing white masks over their faces.
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"This protest by the players to take the field wearing masks makes implicit our support for the championship to be halted," Paulo Luz, Gremio's director of football, said. "Life must take precedence."
Manager Portaluppi warned authorities Gremio were willing to strike unless they call a halt to the footballing programme.
"It is time for Gremio to take a stand and that was to wear masks to alert authorities that players are people too," he said. "We are not immune to viruses.
"There's no point in closing the doors to fans. So the fans are protected and screw those who work in football.
"The whole world has stopped, shouldn't Brazilian football stop as well? That's our message and I hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail."
No spectators were allowed into the Gremio arena for the Gaucho state championship match.
The protest comes as players and clubs across South America are starting to complain at decisions by footballing authorities to order games to be played, but behind closed doors.
Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus appealed for football to be halted, saying players needed to be protected because "they are not super human".
In Argentina, River Plate refused to play their Superliga cup tie against Atletico Tucuman on Saturday. The Buenos Aires club closed their stadium, leaving match officials and Atletico outside the ground.
Coronavirus - key sporting developments
- Premier League, EFL, FA Cup and Women's Super League suspended
- Champions League and Europa League matches postponed
- England Test series in Sri Lanka postponed
- Golf's Players Championship is cancelled
- F1 cancels Australian GP
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- NBA season suspended "until further notice"
- Euro 2020 likely to be postponed by UEFA
- ATP Tour suspended for six weeks
- PRO14 season postponed until further notice
