La Liga 2020-21: Did Lionel Messi's Barcelona breach COVID-19 protocols?
Lionel Messi has been playing for Barcelona throughout his career and is a legendary figure at the club, besides being a modern-day great of football. Barcelona is currently placed third in the ongoing season of La Liga while it won its last game against Valencia.
FollowBarcelona is already in an intense and challenging race to win the 2020-21 La Liga. However, it seems like Lionel Messi and co might have landed themselves in a soup.
What happened?
According to goal.com, La Liga is investigating a  possible COVID-19 protocol breach by the Barcelonans. The report suggests that a lunch meeting was held between some of the Barcelona teammates at Messi's house in Castelldefels, ahead of the side's crucial encounter against league leader Atletico Madrid this weekend.
It reportedly violates the current COVID norm put in place in Catalonia, which does not allow more than six people to meet together, be it inside or outside. The report adds that the players involved could be sanctioned if found guilty of violating social distancing norms.
Goal adds that most of the players were seated at separate tables in Messi's residential garden. However, La Liga is still trying to investigate if it breached the bubble norms.
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The punishment
As of now, there is no clarity on what punishment would be imposed on the ones involved. It would be the second incident in the pandemic after some Sevilla players did the same before the 2019-20 season resumed following the COVID halt. Nonetheless, despite having said that the Sevilla players could be charged, the ones involved issued public apologies and the matter was shut.
As for Barca's case, it could be slightly different since the Catalan government has set up the current norm. "We know and have seen the images. The Public Health Agency that has the powers has seen them and will carry out a technical assessment in the coming days and will inform us on how to proceed," said Generalitat de Catalunya presidency's counsellor, Meritxell Budo.
What's next for Barca?
Barca is preparing to take on Diego Simeone's men at Camp Nou on Saturday. It would be a must-win for the Catalan, as a win would take it to the top spot, while a loss or a draw would seriously jeopardise its title-winning chances, with only three games to remain thereon.
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