Spain lifts crowd restrictions in La Liga from next season

MADRID: Spain will lift capacity restrictions in professional soccer and basketball games from the next season, Health Minister Carolina Darias said on Thursday, paving the way for a return to full stadiums in La Liga.

Grounds in the top two divisions have mostly lain empty since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in March 2020, although a small number of top-flight clubs such as Valencia and Celta Vigo welcomed supporters back in the final two rounds of games, albeit with limited capacity and strict social distancing rules. The government's decision means local authorities will decide whether fans can attend matches and in what numbers.