JUVENTUS are in a coronavirus crisis after 121 players and staff members were placed in self-isolation.
Defender Daniele Rugani was confirmed as the first player in Serie A to have been confirmed as having the deadly bug on Wednesday.
Juventus are activating isolation procedures after Daniele Rugani was found to have coronavirusCredit: AFP
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He was part of the Juve squad that shared a dressing-room as they defeated Inter Milan in a behind-closed-doors match last Sunday.
And as a result the club have enforced drastic action in order to try and stop the spreading of the virus.
A statement from the Italian giants said: “Following yesterday’s news, relating to the positivity to Coronavirus-COVID 19 of the player Daniele Rugani, it is specified that 121 people, including players, staff members, managers, escorts and Juventus employees are observing a period of voluntary home isolation, in compliance with the requirements of the health authorities based on the provisions currently in force.”
Despite claims Rugani’s colleague Paulo Dybala also tested positive, the Argentine insists he has not caught the bug.
He tweeted: “Hello everyone, I wanted to confirm that I am well and in voluntary isolation. Thank you all for the messages and I hope you are well.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, who flew home to Madeira to visit his mother following her recent heart attack, must stay put there rather than fly back to Italy as the virus continues to wreak havoc across the nation.
Paulp Dybala denied testing positive for the coronavirusCredit: Getty Images
A total of 121 Juventus stars and staff are in self-isolationCredit: Reuters
Juventus team-mate Miralem Pjanic posted on Instagram after the Inter game a snap that showed Ronaldo and Rugani celebrating in a close huddle with their fellow players.
All sporting events in Italy have been cancelled until at least April 3 – including Juventus’ Champions League second leg against Lyon which was due to take place next Tuesday.
Rugani became the second professional footballer to test positive, with Hannover 96 defender Timo Hubers also currently in quarantine.
Rugani tweeted: “You will have read the news and that’s why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I’m fine.
“I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinctions! Let’s do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us.”
Last night it emerged Chelsea football star Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for coronavirus.
The entire Blues first-team, coaches and support staff will now self-isolate, putting Saturday’s match with Aston Villa in serious doubt.
The news comes hours after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta revealed he had also tested positive for the deadly virus.
SunSport also revealed how Man City star Benjamin Mendy has been tested after a close family member fell ill at his home.
Arsenal’s match with Brighton this weekend has been postponed with the entire squad in isolation and the training ground closed.
English football was in crisis as the league announced it will hold an “emergency club meeting” today to discuss future fixtures – with clubs expecting they will not play for a month.
The news of Arteta’s positive test came just 49 minutes after the Premier League announced that games this weekend WOULD go ahead as normal.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus after he admitted to feeling poorly
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
