The strange case of Sergio Busquets

Posted Friday, June 11, 2021 by Marca.com

Tested positive for COVID-19, despite Spanish Football Federation following protocol

The strange case of Sergio Busquets
Luis Enrique and Sergio Busquets in the tunnel at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.RFEF

The origin of Sergio Busquets' positive COVID-19 result is still to be determined, but the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are understood to have followed Ministry of Health's protocols.

The last time Busquets came into contact with an ill relative was Sunday, May 30.

The person in question started to feel unwell in the evening of Thursday, June 3. Their first test was negative, but with symptoms continuing they took another the next day which did prove positive.

Busquets straightaway communicated this to the RFEF's medical team.

The definition of a close contact in the national COVID-19 guidelines is as follows: "A close contact is one that has been in the same place as the infected person, has been less than two metres from them and has been with them for a minimum of 15 minutes in a 24-hour period."

This was the case, but Busquets hadn't seen that person for five days.

By which point he had passed six tests before flying to Madrid. All were negative.

Even after his positive test, Busquets took another which was negative.

His positive was on Sunday June 6, but that was outside the recommended window since his contact had their positive result.

In this sense the RFEF feel they did all they could, having followed official advice and having been strict with their bubble.

The team meal at Torrelodones has been criticised, but that was outside and everyone was in the bubble, unlike the likes of England and Portugal, who have been given time away from camp.

Spain have been extremely careful, but this virus has shown once again that it can't be controlled.