"Our Champions League match was a bomb for the spread of the virus," shot the Papu Gómez

05/02/2020 - 20:03

• Clarín.com
• sports

The Argentine midfielder for Italy's Atalanta, Alejandro Gómez, was critical of UEFA's decision to have played in the 16th round of the Champions League in which his team faced Valencia at the San Siro stadium in Milan. on February 19 last: "I think our Champions League match was a bomb that helped the virus to spread, " he told Radio Provincia.

In that game Atalanta beat Valencia 4-1 and in the rematch, which took place in Spain, they won 4 to 3 and advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League, which ended up being suspended due to the coronavirus.

The first leg could not be played on the Atalanta court, which does not comply with the provisions required by UEFA to host international matches, so it was done at the San Siro stadium in Milan, and thus they had to move 45 thousand fans from Bergamo to that city. 2,500 Spanish fans also attended the game.

Alejandro Gomez, from Atalanta, and Dani Parejo, from Valencia, in "The Zero Party" of the pandemic. It was played on February 19 at the San Siro stadium in Milan (Italy). (Photo: AFP / Giuseppe Maffia).

When the COVID-19 cases began to skyrocket in Italy and especially in the northern region - where Bergamo is located - many specialists began to point to the party as a "biological bomb".

"It was mid-February and nobody knew what was happening. If what they are saying is true, that the virus has been circulating in Europe since January, it is probable that the 46,000 Bergamascos who were present in the San Siro stands have the virus passed between them. In the same way that it is possible that many people have gathered that night in their houses and in bars to watch the game and have done the same, "said the mayor of Bergamo Giorgio Gori.

Regarding the wait for the resumption of the activity, the "Papu" soccer player assured: "The worst thing of all is the intrigue that gives you not knowing anything and that nobody can tell you what will happen. We are waiting for you to tell us when we can start training, there is talk of May 18. But the decision is very difficult. "