KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Spain’s Getafe have said they are ready to become the first club to defy European federation UEFA over its response to the rapid international spread of coronavirus.

Getafe are scheduled to fly to Italy to play Internazionale in the Europa League on Thursday. The match is an anomaly because Italian sport’s governing body CONI – the national Olympic committee – has ordered a two-week halt to all sporting events.

However CONI has said it has no jurisdiction over international competitions hence the tie is due to go ahead in the Stadio Meazza in San Siro, albet behind closed doors.

UEFA has said it will deal with all coronavirus issues on a case by case basis and expects the game to go ahead.

Getafe president Angel Torres has said, however, that he is not prepared to risk the health of the club’s players and officials.

Torres said he had asked UEFA to come up with another venue or solution. He added: : “We will not travel to Milan. If that means we lose the tie then so be it.

“We have asked for an alternative to play in Milan. We do not want to get into the heartland of the coronavirus, we have no need. We have also asked the Spanish federation for help to in demanding the a postponement.

“I am not prepared to take any unnecessary risks.”

The Spanish and Italian players’ unions have both asked UEFA to postpone not only the Inter-Getafe tie but Sevilla v Roma. The unions do not believe that playing behind closed doors is adequate protection for all the players involved.

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