A routine of study and training is the key to coping with the challenges of coronavirus lockdown says Spanish LaLiga referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez.

LaLiga has been suspended since March due to strict social distancing measures put in place to try and stem the spread of the deadly virus. It has impacted on the life of all Spaniards from those working on building sites, to those in offices, politicians and elite athletes.

Cuadra Fernandez has had a rapid rise to the top of Spanish refereeing and in his second year taking charge of LaLiga matches he has now been made an international official. He, like everyone, has been watching with horror as COVID-19 has swept across the globe and is waiting to see when normal life can begin again.

"There are signs that the situation is improving in Spain with the complete lockdown in place and right now we shouldn't be thinking about playing again, we need to wait until everything improves.  LaLiga is of secondary importance," he said.

"People's health is most important and the right measures have been put in place. In football we are following the instructions from the (football) federation who are being advised by the health ministry and the scientists."

The Mallorca-based ref says he has got used to his daily routine of exercise and work which is being coordinated by the Spanish federation and Uefa.

"I am doing a physical training plan at home, with a treadmill, a bike and I have been able to do high-intensity work-outs with interval exercises to get your heart-rate high," he said.

"It is important to keep our muscle tone and eat well so avoid foods that will put on weight. I am following programmes from UEFA and the federation. I have an individual training and dietary plan set out by coaches and dieticians while there is also a general plan for all of the referees. 

"I am fine and I have adapted to the quarantine where I am just going out once a week for shopping. At the start it was more difficult as I had everything less organised but now I have everything in place with work and relaxation. The weather is quite sunny at the moment, we have a balcony and so I can get fresh air."

He also explains how being a referee involves plenty of study.

"It is a continual process of training and development," he said. "You are given materials from UEFA and the federation to study with videos to watch and technical material to take on board. I have continued to do this at home along with the physical training."

Cuadra Fernandez lives at home in Mallorca with his partner who is a nurse at the local hospital and has seen at first hand the impact of coronavirus.

He continued: "She is in direct contact as she looks after the patients in the hospital so we are seeing what is happening and the impact.

"We have to be very careful about not spreading the virus. So that means that when she returns from work she has to wash, change her clothing and disinfect areas… we are following the guidelines in place."