(CNN) Soccer stars in Brazil wore face masks in protest of having to play a match while the South American country battles with the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Players for Braziian club Gremio took to the pitch wearing masks ahead of their behind-closed-doors state championship tie against Sao Luiz on Sunday.

Led out by boss Renato Portaluppi, the starting eleven lined up for the team photo wearing the white masks before taking them off for the match they eventually won 3-2 in the Gremio Arena.

After the match, Portaluppi urged the country's authorities to consider the safety of those working in the game.

"There's no point in closing the doors to fans. So the fans are protected and screw those who work in football," he said, according to Reuters.