Controversial 'Infected vs Negatives' COVID-19 Charity Match Thwarted By Spanish Police

A 23-year-old man has been charged for his role in the planning and promotion of a COVID-19 charity match in Northern Spain, which had aimed to pit a team of players who had tested positive for the virus against a team who had tested negative.

The spread of the virus in Spain has slowed allowing some degree of normality to return, but the country remains on high alert, with many lockdown and physical distancing measures still in place.

That being the case, it's fairly clear to see why taking a group people who have definitely tested positive for the virus, putting them into a sporting event against people who definitely have not, and organising a gathering around it, could be seen as a bad idea.

In an spectacular feat of oversight, however, someone in the Basque Country managed to miss the point. Monday 20 June was pencilled in as the date for 'Patxanga Mendillorri' - vaguely translating to 'party in Mendillorri', where such an event was due to go down.

Marca reported on Saturday that police in the Navarre region were investigating the organisation of a football match promoted as Infectados vs Negativos, or 'infected vs negatives.' On announcing the investigation, police asked people to adhere to health and safety regulations, and, in other words, to not be idiots.

It was then announced by the same outlet that a 23-year-old male, identified as the 'responsible organizer' of the proposed event, has been charged for failing to comply with article 34 of the Municipal Ordinance.

He was cited for "acts or omissions contrary to the provisions of this ordinance that seriously endanger the health or physical or moral integrity of persons" and faces a fine of up to €3,000.

The poster for the event billed it as a 'charity party for the sick of COVID-19' so it may have well-intentioned - just amazingly tone deaf.