Today saw the turn of Christian Fernández to answer questions from the Press from his home.
- We have now seen a lot of sportspeople post videos on social networks. During a crisis like this one, do you think that fans are grateful for the message of 'encouragement', now from the person rather than from theplayer?
- The only message that I can send, not as a footballer, but as a person, is that we should all keep faith in what is being done, and in the professionals who are putting their health and wellbeing at risk to help the rest. We have to follow the guidelines they've laid out for us, and the solidarity we are showing now is necessary. This virus is causing pain and we hope to have to spend as little time as possible fighting against it.
- The club has put forward measures to maintain a minimum standard of physical condition. However, on a mental level, what measures have been put in place? How do you work on that area?
- They have made different equipment available to us so that we lose as little physical tone as possible, although if this goes on for a while then we will lose everything we have gained during the season. The mental aspect is important and we have to put up with it. Personally, it's not the worst thing I've gone through in my life. Being at home with all the things we have at our disposal is bearable. But this has to make us reflect on all the privileges that we have. Now is the time to enrich ourselves as people.
- Do you think it's possible to find a fair system to determine the season's outcome in the event of the final matches not being played?
- At the end of the day, it's clear that the world of football cannot be separate from the reality around us. I think it would be frivolous to talk about return dates, especially when human lives are being lost. The world of football must show its solidarity; we are not separate from what is going on around us. Different sectors make you feel like a product, but above anything else we are people, with personal circumstances. Any decision made which did not see footballing integrity prevail, with footballers in their best health conditions, would be to act with recklessness. Right now our minds and focus is on the battle to all come together and defeat this virus.
- What is it like to train when you have children at home with you? How are the little ones coping with the confinement and spending so much time with Dad, instead of you being at El Requexón?
- It's a circumstance you have to adapt to. They want to feel part of Dad's work, but it's an opportunity to spend time with them and see them grow. I am enjoying being with them, since in normal circumstances I don't have a lot of time to enjoy the family atmosphere.
- You are all used to spending a lot of time together, but now each player is at home, working on his own. How are you staying in touch? Do you lose the feeling of being a group and a squad, or even just the sense of time, now that you are not spending your daily routine together?
- At the end of the day, we are used to spending a lot of hours together as a team. We are 'sidekicks' from day to day, and know what each other is going through, and not having that daily contact is strange. In my case, I am moving towards retirement, and this is like a trial of what it will be like when I don't have to get up to go and train. I realise that I am not prepared to find myself outside of football and not be able to enjoy my profession. It makes you appreciate the luck you have to be able to dedicate yourself to this profession. I hope to have a long time left in it, in Oviedo. I hope this situation strengthens us.
Another player will answer questions from his home tomorrow for #RealOviedoTV.
