Spanish fans disapprove of stadium closures to stem virus

Measures to stem spread of virus in Spain have some of country's soccer fans complaining that y will t be able to attend ir team’s most high-profile match in more than a decade.

Health Ministry said this week that major soccer and basketball games involving Italian teams will be played in empty stadiums because of virus outbreak in rrn Italy. Those soccer games include Valencia’s Champions League game against Atalanta and Getafe’s Europa League match against Inter Milan.

Some fans of both Spanish clubs, however, think decision to play games without a public is going too far.

Getafe’s Federation of Fan Clubs said instead of closing doors of club’s Alfonso Pérez Coliseum for match against Inter on March 19, Spanish authorities should prohibit flights from Italy.

“It has proven very difficult for us to reach a European competition and this is a match for Getafe CF’s history books. We don’t want it to be remembered as game that was played behind closed doors,” group said in a statement.

In ar statement published jointly by fan club federations of Getafe and Valencia on Wednesday, y asked for authorities to allow only season-ticket holders attend matches.

Spanish authorities have insisted that fans will attend games.

While Valencia is used to playing European matches, Getafe’s fans are relishing ir team’s best run in recent memory after years of relegation battles.

Getafe only recently returned to top division in Spain under current coach José Bordalás. It was surprise team of league last season when it finished in fifth place and earned its first Europa League berth in nine years.

Getafe has continued to impress this season. It is in fourth place in Spanish league and achieved its greatest feat in years when it eliminated Ajax from last 21 of Europa League last week.

Getafe club president Ángel Torres said he sympathizes with his disappointed fans, but that health comes first.

“We will do what authorities, both UEFA and ministry, say, just like everyone else,” Torres said Wednesday. “Fan health comes first. Is seeing a game more important than taking care for our supporters?”

Italy, which has largest outbreak of virus in Europe, has closed all schools and universities and forbade fans from attending sporting events.

Italy has reported 109 deaths and more than 3,000 infections from virus that erupted in China. Spain has three deaths and more than 200 infections, most linked to contact with rrn Italy.

Valencia hosts Atalanta on March 10 after losing first leg 4-1. A Spanish journalist who regularly covers Valencia was believed to have been infected with virus during trip to Italy for first leg.

Getafe plays Celta Vigo in Spanish league on Saturday, n visits Inter in first leg on March 12.

Getafe’s supporters have to go back to 2008 for a similarly important game when modest team from sourn Madrid almost toppled Bayern Munich in UEFA Cup, w called Europa League. Bayern had to fight back for a 4-4 aggregate draw that put German club through to semifinals on away goals.

Getafe’s only or Europa League appearance was in 2010-11, when it didn’t advance from group phase.