Real Sociedad backtrack on plans to let players return to training ground amid coronavirus shutdown

The Basque team announced on Saturday that players would be able to train individually at the Zubieta training ground after receiving a Covid-19 test

Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots at goal against Real Sociedad. Reuters

Lionel Messi takes the 81st minute spot-kick against Sociedad. AFP

Lionel Messi buries his penalty. Reuters

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Real Sociedad. Getty Images

Messi looks to the heavens after scoring. Getty Images

Real Sociedad's goalkeeper Alex Remiro, left, makes a save against Barcelona's Lionel Messi. AP Photo

Spanish referee Juan Martinez shows a yellow card to Lionel Messi against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou. AFP

Lionel Messi reacts after missing an opportunity against Real Sociedad. AFP

Barcelona's Jordi Alba, right, celebrates with Barcelona's Lionel Messi. AP Photo

Lionel Messi in action against Real Sociedad's Ander Guevara. EPA

Spanish football club Real Sociedad have backtracked on plans to welcome players back to their training ground this week during the coronavirus pandemic after meeting with local authorities.

The Basque team had announced on Saturday that players would be able to train individually at the Zubieta training ground from Tuesday after receiving a Covid-19 test but the club have reversed the decision after facing a backlash on social media.

Spain has been under lockdown for four weeks as part of a national state of emergency to fight the spread of the coronavirus, although some restrictions are being lifted from Monday and some businesses are set to reopen.

Sociedad said on Sunday that their players would continue to conduct individual training at home but reiterated that they never intended for the squad to return to full training which would see them risk coming into close contact with each other.

"We want to remind everyone that Real Sociedad's decision was to give first team players the option to continue individual training at the Zubieta training ground," said a club statement.

"They were never going to do group training and each player could decide whether to train at home or the facility, always complying with the safety measures instructed by the health authorities.

"We are well aware of the responsibility we have and that's why Real Sociedad is working on a plan for our athletes and employees to return to work that puts their health before any other consideration."

There have been more than 166,000 total cases in Spain, with more than 17,000 deaths caused by the coronavirus while more than 62,000 people have made full recoveries. However, the lockdown measures have helped bring down a spiralling death rate that reached its peak in early April.

Sociedad were having a sensational season before all organised football in Spain was indefinitely postponed in March, climbing up to fourth in the standings and qualifying for the Copa del Rey final where they were due to meet Athletic Bilbao.

Sociedad's backtracking is the opposite to measures being taken in Germany, after a number of Bundesliga clubs, including champions Bayern Munich, re-opened their training grounds. However, photos from those sessions showed players adhering to social distancing rules by only training in pairs and maintaining two-metre distances.