Soccer returns to Japan. The J-League, the highest category of Japanese football resumes this Saturday and does so, as expected, with the matches being played behind closed doors. In addition, as announced, players will neither be able to hug or shake hands as one of the preventive measures taken against the spread of the coronavirus.
In Japan, the three categories of professional soccer (J1, J2 and J3) were suspended at the end of last February, when the competition had just started, and will resume after the Japanese authorities lifted the health emergency across the country and began with a progressive de-escalation plan.
However, the protocol of the Japanese league contemplates that starting next Friday, July 10, with just one week after the resumption of the championship, the stadiums can accommodate a maximum of 5,000 fans as long as a minimum distance of one meter can be guaranteed. between each of them.
Later, up to 50% of the capacity of the Japanese stadiums – which in some cases reach 50,000 and 70,000 spectators – would be allowed, and fans would be asked to refrain from shouting, singing loudly or playing the palms, as preventive measures of possible contagions.
The calendar of the J-League It usually coincides with that of the calendar year and that is why they have concentrated the 33 days that right now remain with matches every 4 or 5 days to complete it.
The Vissel Kobe of Iniesta, this Saturday
Among the highlights of the first day of this J-League comeback is the Vissel Kobe Andrés Iniesta in front of the Sanfrecce Hiroshima. On the other hand, the current champion, Yokohama Marino, also plays against Urawa Reds.