Real Madrid ask fans not to gather if club wins La Liga

Real Madrid are asking supporters to avoid congregating in the Spanish capital if the club wins the La Liga title in order to limit the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.

"Real Madrid C.F. calls on its club members and supporters not to gather in Cibeles in the event that the team secures the La Liga title," the club said in a statement Tuesday.

"In the event that Real Madrid are crowned champions, our players will not visit the usual points of celebration, in particular, the Plaza de Cibeles, and we therefore also ask our club members and supporters that, in the event that we secure the title, they did not gather in these places.

"In this regard, all of us must make a contribution, as has been the case to date, and show the utmost responsibility to avoid the risk of contagion."

Real Madrid are four points ahead of second-place Barcelona with two matches remaining. Zinedine Zidane's men can clinch the club's 34th top-flight crown with a victory over Villarreal on Thursday.

"Real Madrid feels the duty to issue this important call in a show of utmost responsibility and with the firm belief that any possible triumph involving our team must not give rise to a massive backward step in the battle we are all waging against this pandemic," the club's statement concluded.

In June, Liverpool condemned their supporters after thousands of fans broke social distancing rules to celebrate the club's Premier League title.

Merseyside police also criticized Reds supporters who gathered outside Anfield and various places around Liverpool despite being urged to practice social distancing.