Players from Brazilian club Gremio took to the field wearing masks on Sunday in protest at having to play a match during the coronavirus pandemic.
The players, led by manager Renato Portaluppi, walked out of the tunnel to play Sao Luiz and lined up before the game wearing white masks over their faces.
"This protest by the players to take the field wearing masks makes implicit our support for the championship to be halted," Paulo Luz, Gremio's director of football, said. "Life must take precedence."
No spectators were allowed into the Gremio arena for the Gaucho state championship match.
The protest comes as players and clubs across South America are starting to complain at decisions by footballing authorities to order games to be played, but behind closed doors.
Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus appealed for football to be halted, saying players needed to be protected because "they are not super human".
In Argentina, River Plate refused to play their Superliga cup tie against Atletico Tucuman on Saturday. The Buenos Aires club closed their stadium, leaving match officials and Atletico outside the ground.
Rickk
4
Coronavirus has tested positive to Zlatan Ibrahimovic... The virus has now been put into quarantine for the next 14 days😂🙌
BrankoJovic
0
how will they communicate among themselves???
You can talk trough the mask,right?
pizbcnor
0
How can u wear a mask and not wear long sleeves or stretch under your jersey and gloves to protect your hands whiles you know there’s going to be body contact They’re still not safe
Ik the virus is not in the air
Paaqhwesi
0
How can u wear a mask and not wear long sleeves or stretch under your jersey and gloves to protect your hands whiles you know there’s going to be body contact They’re still not safe
zaudlmopru
5
We should learn some thing from them.
Edoo87
7
finally they are humans should be refuse playing safety comes 1st
Johalouz
2
These are footballers who spate very often onto the pitch does that means these players are not going to spit throughout the game? I can't think far
Johalouz
2
Valencia and Atalanta played behind closed door but now five of Valencia players have now tested positive so what was the sense in sanctioning that Champions league match?
Johalouz
5
instead of wearing mask in a form of protest, they should have boycotted the match just like River plates.
Lloristhebest
2
Chance
AN-WAR
1
It is the best way to avoid CoronaVirus. But Be careful =CoronaVirus attacks your Launch
ArkaprabhaSanyal
1
how will they communicate among themselves???