JUVENTUS have cancelled all training sessions and put their entire Under-23 team in quarantine over coronavirus fears, according to reports.
The Old Lady announced the decision after it was revealed the youth team played Serie C side Pianese, who had three players and the manager test positive for the virus.
Ronaldo and his Juventus team-mates remain in lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It is reported that no Juventus player has so far experienced any symptoms of Covid-19.
But the youth team will stay at home until at least March 8 with Forbes reporting that a training ban has been extended to Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mates.
The ban will continue until further notice following the suspension of their Serie A clash with Inter Milan.
The whole of the Pianese squad has been placed in isolation after the diagnosis and Juve’s medical team are keeping a close eye on Ronaldo and his team mates.
A source at the Turin club said: “The situation is being taken very seriously and the medical staff have told all the players to keep washing their hands and using hand gels.
“No one has tested positive but bearing in mind the Inter game has been postponed because of health concerns nothing is being taken for granted.
“Some of the players involved in the Under 23 match did train midweek with Ronaldo and the first team but that will now not happen again for a few weeks.”
Matches at Udinese, AC Milan, Parma and Sassuolo have also fallen victim and have been rescheduled for May 13.
Italy is the highest affected country in Europe with 1,128 confirmed cases and 29 deaths. Both figures are expected to rise rapidly.
Sporting events across the globe have been cancelled including the Chinese GP.
Formula One races, including Grands Prix in Australia, Vietnam and Bahrain are already at risk.
Even the Olympic Games – set to be held in Tokyo, Japan, this summer – could be cancelled due to the deadly illness.
This summer’s Euro 2020 tournament, hosted across the entire continent, is also in jeopardy.
And Fifa President Gianni Infantino says the world governing body could step in to cancel next month’s England international friendlies because of the coronavirus.
Across North London, Tottenham star Son Heung-min has been forced to self-isolate for two weeks following his return from South Korea.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have banned journalists who are suffering from a cough from attending press conferences.
West Ham boss David Moyes has banned handshakes, forcing players to fist-bump and use anti-bacterial hand gel in a bid to stay safe.
Newcastle, too, have imposed a ban on their own players shaking hands with others in an attempt to prevent any cross contamination within their club.
Ronaldo and Dybala caught on camera in tunnel slamming Juventus midfield for ‘lack of support’ in shock Lyon defeat
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
