Most European league, the Brazilian leagues were still going ahead during the weekend in front of empty stadiums.
Players for Braziian club Gremio took to the pitch wearing masks ahead of their behind-closed-doors state championship tie against Sao Luiz on Sunday.
The players wore face masks in protest of having to play a match while the virus is at its peak and the country is wildly affected, whereas other leagues in the world have been suspended for now.
Gremio boss Renato Portaluppi, also led his team wearing the white masks before taking them off for the match they eventually won 3-2 in the Gremio Arena. Portaluppi wasn’t happy with the decision of the FA and made known his mind after the game.
“There’s no point in closing the doors to fans. So the fans are protected and screw those who work in football,” he said, according to Reuters.
“The whole world has stopped, shouldn’t Brazilian football stop as well? That’s our message and I hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail.” The club’s director Paulo Luz also added that “life must take precedence.”
However, after the match, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) said it was suspending all nationwide competitions, while individual federations would have the final decision on state championship matches.