FOOTBALL FANS have been left scratching their heads after it was announced that Daniel Carrico would be leaving Sevilla to join Wuhan Zall… in the birth city of coronavirus.
The pandemic has gone global since originating in the Chinese city, with several Brits having contracted the disease.
Wuhan Zall have completed the signing of Daniel Carrico from Sevilla
Over 2,000 people have been killed by coronavirus and the city of Wuhan is still in lockdown.
But that hasn’t stopped Carrico joining their football team.
The new Chinese Super League [CSL] season was due to get underway this month, but all matches have been postponed amid fears over the fast-spreading disease.
The outbreak occurred during the CSL’s off-season, with Carrico’s new team-mate Leo Baptistao having been unable to return to China following a holiday in his native Brazil.
The uncertainty hasn’t put off Carrico, however, who made three appearances in the Premier League for Reading back in 2013.
The 31-year-old won’t travel to China until the epidemic has passed, with all domestic games postponed in the meantime.
But this fact didn’t stop fans questioning the transfer on social media.
One wrote: “Money will kill some people. It’s senseless to move to Wuhan at this material time.”
While another flabbergasted fan asked: “He don’t fear Corona ?”
And another sarcastically quipped: “What a time to go to what a place”.
Carrico has made 167 appearances for Sevilla since leaving the Royals, including 12 this season.
As well as the obvious health risks and tragic deaths, coronavirus has played havoc with the Chinese sporting calendar.
Their women’s national football team were forced to train in hotel corridors as they were quarantined in Australia ahead of their rearranged Olympic qualifiers earlier this month.
And their star player Wang Shuang couldn’t even travel, having been unable to leave her home city Wuhan amid the lockdown.
And as well as all domestic fixtures being postponed, the sides involved in the Asian Champions League group stages are having to play their three away fixtures first.
Beijing Gouan won their opener against Thai side Chiangrai United on Tuesday, with the message “Come on, Wuhan” written in Chinese characters across their shirts instead of a sponsor.
Carrico has played in the Champions League for SevillaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
First-person video from Coronavirus ground zero city of Wuhan shows temperature checks for supermarket shoppers
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
