La Liga president Javier Tebas says he is hoping the league can resume on June 12, but it depended on decisions by local authorities regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

"We would like to start on June 12, but it will depend on a lot of things," Tebas said in an interview late Sunday with league broadcaster Movistar.

"If we all continue to comply with the health safety measures, I don't think we will have any problems."

The league confirmed the positive tests on Sunday but said it was not going to alter the practice protocol that got underway last week.

Players from most clubs began individual training sessions on Friday after nearly two months of confinement because of the pandemic.

The league said it will "continue to apply the back-to-training protocol" that was approved by government authorities to "guarantee the maximum safety of all players, coaches and club employees."

Tebas noted the "very low" number of positive cases, adding it will be virtually impossible for contagion to happen during games because everyone involved would have been tested ahead of time.

The five players who tested positive will remain sidelined until they fully recover. They are all without symptoms and recovering from the disease, according to the league.

They will be allowed to resume training after testing negative in two consecutive tests.

All other players tested negative, with the league adding only three staff members of clubs tested positive after nearly 2,500 total tests were conducted.

"This is good news for the football industry and for Spanish society as well," Tebas said.

Players, coaches and club employees involved in the training sessions are being tested daily.

The league did not name the players who tested positive. It also didn't disclose their clubs, but Real Betis goalkeeper Joel Robles later confirmed he was among those with COVID-19.

Spanish media said two other players were from first-division clubs, including Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi.

Atletico on Saturday posted a message on an official club social media channel with a picture of the Brazilian and the message: "Renan Lodi says hello from his home. We will see you very soon on the field, Renan!"

None of the players who tested positive reportedly play for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Barcelona were among the first teams to resume individual training on Friday while Real Madrid are expected back on Monday.

"Soccer is secondary right now," Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said. "But it can serve as a distraction for the people who have been suffering."

Tebas said he expects matches to be played every day after soccer resumes in Spain.

Barcelona captain Gerard Pique said he hoped to have more time for players to prepare.

"A few more days of practice would be good for us, especially because of the risk of injuries," he said.

Australian Associated Press