Liga MX: Scatter-shooting ahead of Matchday 2
Liga MX struggles to manage the coronavirus crisis
Cruz Azul’s Robert Siboldi caused a bit of an uproar last week by stating the obvious – Liga MX authorities are prioritizing economics over player health. But the numbers back up the Cementeros’ coach.
More than 140 players/staff/referees have caught the virus since testing began back in June and 23 new cases were confirmed in the past week. There were 26 new cases reported across Liga MX the week before that.
Then Universal Deportes revealed that Liga MX was not being fully transparent with regard to positive tests. Official confirmation of cases at Necaxa and FC Juárez came a few days after rumors appeared across social media. On July 20, Cruz Azul officials told local reporters that two players tested positive, but the league did not release an official bulletin until July 22.
That the virus is directly impacting the league there is no doubt. Two games on Opening Weekend were postponed due to coronavirus. First, after Juárez announced seven positive cases (one report suggested it was actually 10 players), the league moved the Guardianes 2020 season opener from Thursday to Monday. The Bravos’ opponent – Atlético San Luis – also required those extra days because they were still awaiting the latest test results for their players.
Mazatlán FC reported six cases last week and their league debut was also bumped back to Monday.
Santos – a team which saw a mini-outbreak in June – reported four new cases last week. Atlas had five players test positive before Opening Night while the Chivas faced León without three players – midfielder Fernando Beltrán, winger Uriel Antuna and back-up striker Ronaldo Cisneros – sidelined with Covid-19.
Guadalajara’s veteran striker Oribe Peralta also missed the game – TV broadcasters were told it was sinusitis – and three days later came the announcement that he had tested positive.
León’s Fernando Navarro is sidelined with the virus, too, but social media showed him no sympathy since he had earlier posted a video on Instagram showing him visiting two of his businesses. The veteran is key to León’s title chances and he defended himself from those who labeled him careless and irresponsible.
Cruz Azul playmaker Roberto Alvarado is back in camp after surviving a bout with the virus, but two unnamed teammates remain out sick. Earlier, the entire organization was hit by a significant outbreak.
All this prompted Siboldi to speak up, including a request for more specific guidance. “How many infections before a team is forced to postpone a match? 10, maybe?” he said. “There should be greater control, increased transparency and official guidelines so we know how to respond and when actions are required.”
The Uruguayan coach insists safety and concern for players’ families must be a priority. Siboldi knows about this uncertainty first hand since he was quarantined for a few days in mid-July after a test came back inconclusive.
One thing Liga MX could do is enforce the health and safety rules it adopted before the season, specifically the wearing of masks. América coach Miguel Herrera is a case in point. “El Piojo” refused to wear a mask during the first two games of the preseason Copa GNP, but no sanctions were handed down. During Monday’s season opener at Pachuca, Herrera was frequently spied on the sideline without a mask.
If the league is serious about public health, they should start handing out fines. After all, protecting the health of players and officials is the only way to ensure the economic viability of the Guardianes 2020 season.