Spanish soccer began the path back towards normality on Monday as organisers said clubs would resume training this week for the first time since activity was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic and targeted resuming the season in June.

Organising body La Liga said clubs in the top two divisions would return to individual training following a protocol it had agreed with Spain’s sports and health authorities.

The protocol obliges players to undergo testing for the novel coronavirus before they can return to training facilities.

“These measures cover a period of approximately four weeks with different phases that, in any case, will be subject to the de-escalation process established by the government,” said the statement.

“Thus, together with the medical tests carried out by clubs, a staggered return to training has been implemented that will start with players training alone and with group activities prior to the return to competition, scheduled for June.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas said the season would bring back a sense of normality to Spain, which has lost over 25,000 lives to the virus. “The return of football is a sign that society is progressing towards the new normal,” he said.

Serie A

Cristiano Ronaldo has been recalled from Portugal as Serie A clubs get back to individual training on Monday.

Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has warned that although individual training can resume, training in groups must wait until May 18.

Sassuolo became the first team to resume individual training on Monday, with Bologna set to follow on Tuesday.

Champions Juventus have recalled their overseas players, including Ronaldo, who once back from the Portuguese island of Madeira, will have to spend two weeks in quarantine.