ENGLISH football was thrown into panic after Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus.
The Greek shipping magnate sparked fears Premier League and Championship clubs may have been exposed to Covid-19.
Evangelos Marinakis has sparked fear at a host of Premier League and Football League clubs after his coronavirus diagnosisCredit: AFP
Forest’s squad were ordered to undergo coronavirus tests as Marinakis, 52, met them after Friday’s home defeat to Millwall.
The club stated: “We confirm Evangelos Marinakis has tested positive for the coronavirus.
“He was diagnosed after showing the first symptoms on his return to Greece yesterday.
“During his short stay in Nottingham last week he did not show any symptoms of the virus.
“The club are seeking advice from medical professionals and the relevant governing bodies to ensure the correct measures are taken.”
The Football League are “in close contact with Forest” but an EFL spokesman insisted all league matches will go ahead as scheduled as per current government guidance.
Marinakis himself said: “The recent virus has ‘visited’ me and I felt obliged to let the public know.”
Millwall board members and senior staff who met Marinakis have also gone into voluntary isolation.
A Lions statement read: “Senior club representatives who came into contact with Mr Marinakis last Friday have all begun a period of self isolation, as per government advice.
“This is purely a precautionary measure and no individual has displayed any symptoms. The club will continue to follow all necessary guidance.”
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants tomorrow’s Europa League clash at Olympiacos called off as Marinakis also owns the Greek club.
The match in Athens, had already been ordered to be played behind closed doors. Olympiacos followed Forest’s lead by sending their entire playing squad for tests.
Santo said: “If we have to go we will. But we don’t agree — we’re not happy to go.”
It is understood Marinakis also shook hands with Forest defender Michael Dawson, who then worked as a Sky Sports pundit at Burnley’s 1-1 Prem draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
Ex-Spurs star Dawson worked closely alongside Burnley’s Matt Lowton in covering Saturday’s TV Prem game for Sky.
Tottenham are relaxed about any threat Dawson posed because Burnley had closed off access to the tunnel as part of the measures they already had in place.
Burnley declined to comment. But a Sky statement read: “We are aware one of our recent studio guests, Michael Dawson, was in close contact with Evangelos Marinakis.
“We are in touch with Michael and taking all the necessary precautionary steps.”
Marinakis was also at the Emirates on February 27 as Olympiacos knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League.
But Arsenal insist “none of our staff who came into contact with Mr Marinakis reported any symptoms since”.
The Gunners also have “additional procedures in place to protect our players and staff, including regular deep cleaning at Emirates Stadium and our training centre.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
