VALENCIA’S Champions League clash with Atalanta will be played behind closed doors amid coronavirus fears, according to reports.
Inter Milan’s Europa League game with Getafe is also said to be at risk.
Atalanta’s Champions League game at Valencia will be played behind closed doorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Inter are set to host the Spanish side on March 19 in their last-16 second leg.
And their Serie A compatriots Atalanta are due to travel to Valencia next Tuesday, March 10.
Atalanta are based in Bergamo in Northern Italy which is one of the worst hit areas in the country.
It has had five deaths from the disease and the Lombardy region as a whole is said to be the most badly affected in the country with 600 of Italy’s 1,576 total cases.
Atalanta fans were recently checked for symptoms before being allowed into the stadium at an away Serie A game at Lecce.
But supporters of both teams will be completely banned from the Mestalla, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
This comes just days after a Spanish journalist tested positive for the deadly disease after travelling to Milan to cover the first leg of the tie.
The reporter, 44, took himself to the Hospital Clinic de Valencia last Thursday morning after experiencing mild symptoms.
According to AS, the Italian Ministry of Health report that he was taken to the National Microbiology Centre to confirm he has contracted the deadly virus.
He is understood to be the second person in the Valencia region in South-East Spain.
But he is adamant he is “perfect” and “no one” should be alarmed.
The journalist said: “I am very perfect. I have the symptoms of a flu but nothing more.
“I am fine, I am calm and very well attended.
“For responsibility I went to the doctor and they referred me to the hospital to do the tests.
“I had been in Milan and I think my obligation was to go. Yesterday I did not go to work.
“Really, the symptoms I have would not prevent me from going to work but I did the tests for pure responsibility.
“Let no one be alarmed, I am perfect.”
Atalanta lead the last-16 tie 4-1 after the first leg.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
