Depleted Granada lose at Real Sociedad after coronavirus-enforced changes

Granada were only able to field seven senior players in their starting XI for a 2-0 defeat to LaLiga leaders Real Sociedad on Sunday because of a coronavirus outbreak.

A request by Granada to postpone the game against Sociedad at Anoeta had earlier been rejected by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and they instead played the match with a severely-weakened side.

Granada had originally claimed they could not select “the minimum number of players available” but RFEF’s competition committee turned it down as regulations stated matches could only be postponed if a club has five or fewer first-team players to choose from.

Granada’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Angel Jimenez saved a penalty on his debut, but goals from Nacho Monreal and Mikel Oyarzabal chalked up a fifth consecutive victory for Sociedad.

ÁNGEL JIMÉNEZ

Made in @CanteraNazari pic.twitter.com/HMiqqxkyXb

— Granada CF (@GranadaCdeF) November 8, 2020

Diego Martinez’s side had been told they could only name players in their squad who tested negative for COVID-19 and who did not travel to Cyprus for Thursday’s Europa League match against Omonia Nicosia.

Granada are set to face disciplinary action for a breach of COVD-19 protocols after they travelled to Cyprus despite an outbreak of the virus.

It was confirmed on Saturday that Martinez and striker Antonio Puertas were self-isolating after showing symptoms of the virus.