SIX Premier League stars including three Leicester City players have shown symptoms of coronavirus.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers today confirmed three of his team are displaying signs of the deadly disease and have been isolated from the rest of the squad.
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Three Leicester players and three other players from an unnamed Premier League club have shown symptoms of coronavirusCredit: Rex Features
Rodgers confirmed the news ahead of Saturday’s at risk game at Watford and said the club are complying with relevant guidelinesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Another unnamed Premier League side are also said to have a trio showing symptoms with the whole squad due to be tested today.
Chelsea have also been hit by the crisis, with players told to stay away from training today after a member of staff complained of coronavirus symptoms.
The Athletic report the situation developed on Wednesday night and a decision was made early Thursday morning to cancel today’s session.
Their Cobham base is being deep cleaned today as a precautionary measure.
Training is scheduled to go ahead as usual on Friday.
One of the affected Leicester players first showed symptoms earlier this week and was immediately self-isolated.
But after appearing to improve, he is said to have relapsed since.
Rodgers said: “We’ve had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs (of coronavirus).
“We’ve followed procedures and (as a precaution) they have been kept away from the squad.”
Asked about the effect of the outbreak on Premier League football, the Foxes boss added: “Of course, from a football perspective, it would be a shame, but the public’s health is the most important aspect in all of this.
“Working in football, it’s about having that agility to move with what’s happening in football.
“We’re guided by football and federations. We have to press on with our work and prepare as normal.
“The game is all about the players and the fans.
“If you have one of those not there, it’s obviously not the same.”
Leicester’s game at Watford on Saturday lunch time will certainly be called off if the results come back positive.
But the news puts even greater pressure on English football authorities to suspend all matches in line with their European counterparts.
It seems almost inevitable games will be cancelled or postponed once a player case is confirmed but Premier League chiefs are yet to act.
Some Premier League clubs are said to be hopeful the government intervenes today so the League’s hand is forced.
The next step in combating the spread of the bug is to play games behind closed doors.
CORONAVIRUS’ IMPACT ON EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
SERIE A – Suspended until at least April 3
LALIGA – Next two matchdays suspended
LIGUE 1 – All matches behind closed doors until April 15
BUNDESLIGA – This weekend’s fixtures behind closed doors but whole season could be scrapped pending German Football Federation meeting with clubs
PREMIER LEAGUE – Man City vs Arsenal postponed but no further action as of 1pm March 12
BELGIUM – This weekend’s games behind closed doors and Cup final postponed
AUSTRIA – All football suspended apart from top flight and national team
PORTUGAL – All games behind closed doors for at least two weeks
EUROPA LEAGUE – Selected games behind closed doors including Man Utd and Wolves. Some games including Sevilla vs Roma called off
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – Selected games behind closed doors including Bayern Munich vs Chelsea. Man City’s game with Real Madrid to be postponed
But there is a growing belief among Prem teams that English football is falling behind the rest of Europe in halting the outbreak.
Players are also said to be concerned by the rapid spread with many unwilling to play on in current conditions.
Last night, it was confirmed Juventus star Daniele Rugani has got the disease and has been quarantined.
The Serie A giants are based in one of the worst-affected regions of Italy which is now on total lockdown due to the spread of the killer bug.
And Rugani picked up the virus after Juve were exposed to an infected Serie C team.
Spanish giants Real Madrid today announced their squad was entering self isolation after a basketball player who trains on their complex tested positive.
And LaLiga responded by suspending the competition for the next two matchdays.
Cristiano Ronaldo ‘tells Juventus he won’t return’ from Madeira after team-mate Rugani tests positive for coronavirus
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
