Nicaragua is one of the countries still playing football. But the players dare not longer address through.
As one of the few national leagues, which is still played football, experience Nicaragua a rise in popularity.
But the players are nervous about the spread of corona virus, and say that they now have a different approach to the game.
– We try to avoid touching the other players, says Carlos Mosquera, a goalkeeper for the team Deportivo Las Sabanas.
Nicaragua is one of four countries topligaer, which according to Reuters is not stopped due to coronaviruses. The other is in Belarus, Tajikistan and Burundi.
In Primera Liga de Nicaragua played matches behind closed doors and appear on local television and live on Facebook.
– the soccer ball has changed, for one, do not go after a ball, which is fifty-fifty, with the same intensity as before, says Carlos Mosquera.
– the Fear of it happening could in the world, is there all the time. Mentally you are not focused on the fight. You just think of whether the opponents may have the disease.
the Secretary-general of the Nicaraguan Football federation, Jose Maria Bermudez, says that fans from all over the world will now follow in the country’s best range.
He also says that a foreign company has asked for the tv rights.
He stresses, however, that it is not standing firmly, the league will continue the season out, and that simply, “as long as the situation allows it”.
Nicaragua has the Friday five confirmed cases of the coronavirus and no confirmed deaths.
the Players say that they have not been consulted in relation to the decision to continue to play.
They say that it has been taken between the league and klubejerne, many of whom receive financial support from Nicaragua’s president, Daniel Ortega, who in a report of the united nations are blamed for large-scale repression of the population and political opponents.
Some players lined up for this weekend’s matches wearing masks and gloves.
In half jest, half earnest said the players from the club Deportivo Las Sabanas, that the international interest for football in the country might provide them with a move to a bigger league. Many of the players continues to be able to support their family, they tell.
Who lives over six million people in the impoverished central american country.
/ritzau/Reuters
