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      Scunthorpe forced to call off next THREE League Two matches after coronavirus outbreak with 18 in isolation

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      SCUNTHORPE have been forced to call off their next THREE League Two matches after a coronavirus outbreak has put 18 players in isolation.
      Eight of their players have tested positive for Covid-19 and another ten will have to self-isolate due to being in close contact with the others.

      Scunthorpe’s next THREE games have been called off due to coronavirus fearsCredit: Rex Features

      That is effectively their whole match day squad, with the remaining players not training for a week.
      The club released a statement on it’s website earlier today detailing the reasons why the games was being postponed.
      The statement reads: “Scunthorpe United can confirm our next three Sky Bet League Two games have been postponed due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases among the playing and coaching staff.
      “Due to these cases, the club has advised the EFL it is unable to safely fulfil the fixtures against Salford City (Tuesday, October 27), Colchester United (Friday, October 30) and Port Vale (Tuesday, November 3) at present.

      “Following testing on Monday, a total of eight players have now tested positive for Covid-19, with a further ten having to self-isolate due to coming into close contact with those particular players, leaving just ten players available. As a precaution, training for the unaffected players and staff will also cease for seven days.
      “The club is following all of Public Health England and the EFL’s Covid-19 protocols and will not name the players in question. We ask that their request for privacy and confidentiality are respected at this time.

      “We wish those affected a swift and safe recovery, and look forward to welcoming them back to the club soon.”
      The three games in question are against Salford on tonight, Colchester on Friday and Port Vale on November 3.

      The EFL has indicated an investigation will be opened into the circumstances of the postponements while new dates for the fixtures will be arranged.
      Scunthorpe’s would-be opponents tonight, Salford, were understanding of the issue and wished the club well on social media.
      On their Twitter they wrote: ‘Tonight’s game at Scunthorpe United has regrettably been postponed due to a number of Covid cases at Scunthorpe.
      “A new date and time will be announced in due course but in the meantime our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those affected at @SUFCOfficial.”
      This is not the first time a club in the lower leagues has had to postpone a fixture due to coronavirus.
      Earlier this month, Crewe’s tie against Oxford was cancelled twice due to Covid-19.

      Salford have wish Scunthorpe players a speedy recovery ahead of tonight’s postponed clashCredit: PA:Press Association
      The League One clash had originally been due to go ahead on October 3, only for Crewe player Omar Beckles to return a positive result for coronavirus on the morning of the game.
      This prompted them to postpone the match just 32 minutes before kick-off, causing outrage and sparking a police investigation.
      Crewe then postponed the match again after two more players tested positive for Covid-19, while a third was already in self-isolation.

      Roy Hodgson confirms that Crystal Palace keeper Jack Butland has tested positive for coronavirus More

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      Italy shuts stadiums again just month after reopening with coronavirus cases on rise… and one club has at least 27

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      ITALY are set to perform a U-turn on allowing fans back into stadiums after just one month due to a rise in coronavirus cases.
      The Mail claim a new Government decree will come into effect on Monday that scraps the rule that 1,000 supporters can attend football games.

      Serie A stadiums are set to return to playing behind closed doorsCredit: AFP or licensors

      Coronavirus cases in Italy reached more than 21,000 on Sunday leading to new measures to combat the second wave.
      The report came just hours before AC Milan confirmed that Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jens Petter Hauge are among five members to have returned a positive test.
      Both players will now be forced into isolation and will be forced to miss out on the team’s clash against Roma on Monday.
      And that followed the news that several other players, including Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, tested postive for coronavirus in recent weeks.

      While Italian reports claim Serie B side Reggiana have as many as 21 infected causing their upcoming fixtures to be postponed.
      The debate over allowing fans back into grounds has continued in the UK – with Britain having 874,000 cases compared to Italy’s 526,000.
      David Moyes recently questioned why fans couldn’t watch West Ham’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the stadium, when they can watch it inside a nearby cinema.
      He said: “Firstly the best I can do is the leave the Government, the people who know the best and are speaking to all the advisors, to that because I’m certainly not an expert on a pandemic.

      “But I watched the European games this week and have seen crowds back in different countries, and it’s hard to believe we can’t do that.
      “I don’t think any of us want 500 or 1,000 people back in the grounds, we need a good percentage of capacity – 25 or 30 per cent. Why can those countries be doing it and not us?
      “Are we so much worse than the others? Again, it’s not probably not my bag but I feel it’s not right.
      “And people going watch a game in a cinema, close to here, why can we not be sitting outside in the open air doing it?
      “Maybe there’s other reasons – maybe it’s the travelling on the tube, the bus, maybe it’s the pubs. But if that is the case, please come out and give us an explanation as to why we can’t do it.”

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      Solskjaer blames Man Utd’s horror home form on not being able to stay at Lowry Hotel before matches due to coronavirus

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has blamed Manchester United’s home form on their inability to stay at the Lowry Hotel before games.
      The Red Devils have a long history at the Manchester hotel with Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer having lived their during their time as manager.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arriving at the Lowry last nightCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      United face Chelsea at Old Trafford today and Solskjaer’s men stayed at the hotel last night for the first time this season.
      Coronavirus and lockdown meant United had to stop using the exclusive spot and change their normal pre-match routine which Solskjaer reckons has had an impact on their form.
      The Reds have lost both their home games this season – 3-1 to Crystal Palace before the 6-1 humiliation by Tottenham.

      And speaking ahead of the Blues clash, Solskjaer said: “We need to look at the way we prepare.

      “Maybe it’s something I’ve got to deal with.
      “After the lockdown with Covid, we’ve stayed at home, we’ve had different routines coming into games.
      “I’ve just got to look at everything, how the players prepare, because it’s been noticeable how well we’ve done away from home.”
      Solskjaer lived at the Lowry while he was in temporary charge at United and only moved out once Ed Woodward confirmed he had the job permanently.

      How Man Utd could lineup vs Chelsea

      And Mourinho never left while he was Red Devils boss claiming it was because he cannot cook, clean or iron.
      The Portuguese is said to have paid a staggering £779,000 on rent.
      Solskjaer and Co edged past Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League midweek.
      Marcus Rashford was the hero at the Parc des Princes yet again, as Bruno Fernandes also converted another penalty.
      Solskjaer sent out his troops in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with the new strategy appearing to suit a number of players.

      And he is likely to do the same against Frank Lampard’s side this evening.
      With Eric Bailly ruled out through injury for a month, it’s possible Harry Maguire returns to the back-three on the left-side.
      The Man Utd captain has endured a tricky run of form in recent months and was rested for the win in France.
      But the England defender is best-suited to playing in a back-three, with Victor Lindelof set to take the final spot.
      However, should Solskjaer opt to sideline Maguire again, Luke Shaw would likely start on the left of the back-three.

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      Crystal Palace keeper Jack Butland tests positive for coronavirus as Hodgson confirms new signing is self-isolating

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      CRYSTAL PALACE goalkeeper Jack Butland has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating in a London hotel.
      The news comes just a day before the Eagles travel to Fulham in the Premier League.

      Jack Butland has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Instagram @cpfc

      Palace only signed the 27-year-old last week but they will have to wait to see him in action.
      Boss Roy Hodgson confirmed the diagnosis this afternoon.
      He said: “It’s very unfortunate with Wayne Hennessey picking up such a serious injury in the last international break.

      “It was extremely unkind to us, I have to say. So we were forced to act because we know he will be out until January.
      “We don’t know then what the future will hold for him. We needed to bring someone in.
      “Our misfortune continued because no sooner had Jack come and signed than he tested positive for coronavirus. So we haven’t seen him because he has to self isolate.
      “Like Jordan [Ayew], he is stuck in a hotel room in London, a very boring existence, I can only imagine, waiting for the magical period of time you have to self isolate for to pass to take another test, hopefully he will be clear.

      “And then I can answer about what it is like to have him with us. At the moment he is with us from afar.

      Butland only signed from Stoke last weekCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “My only contact with him is a telephone call to ask how he is feeling.
      “The good news is that he is feeling very good, very frustrated, and very disappointed that all he is sees is four walls and nothing else at the moment.”
      Butland must self-isolate for ten days from the date he tested positive provided a negative result is recorded when he next takes a test.
      So Eagles fans could see him in action as early as next week.
      Palace grabbed a bargain last week when they landed the Englishman for just £500,000.
      The deal went through just 15 months after the Potters demanded a whopping £23million for his services.
      Butland would have been able to negotiate pre-contract terms with other clubs in January ahead of a free transfer next summer.
      But the ex-England star will now compete for a starting spot back in the Premier League under Hodgson – who gave Butland his first four England caps.

      Butland has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Selhurst Park.
      On signing Butland, Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “We have added another experienced player of high calibre to our squad in Jack.
      “It marks a really successful window for us, with five quality signings, adding great depth to Roy’s squad.”
      Hodgson added: “I’m very happy that the club has managed to acquire the signature of Jack to join us and compete for a place amongst our goalkeepers at the club.
      “Jack is a player that I worked with for four years at England.

      “His last game for me as England manager was a very unfortunate one where he broke his ankle and that cost him his place in the 2016 Euros.
      “But I’ve always believed in Jack’s potential.
      “I am aware that his last spell at Stoke hasn’t been the happiest one for him.
      “But I sincerely believe that with his qualities, coming to a new club will enable him to resurrect his career and show once again what a good goalkeeper he is.”
      Butland is set to compete for a starting spot with Vicente Guaita and Hennessey, who is expected to be out until February with an injury picked up on Wales duty.
      Stoke signed Southampton stopper Angus Gunn on loan for the season as Butland’s replacement.

      7️⃣ years𝟭𝟲𝟴 appearances𝟱𝟬 clean sheets🥇 Player of the Year x2👏 Thank you for everything, @JackButland_One.#SCFC 🔴⚪️
      — Stoke City FC (@stokecity) October 16, 2020

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      Cristiano Ronaldo could still face Lionel Messi’s Barcelona despite testing positive AGAIN for coronavirus

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is still in line to face Barcelona in the Champions League next week – despite testing positive AGAIN for coronavirus.
      The Juventus superstar tested positive on October 13 following international duty with Portugal.

      Ronaldo decided to shave his head during his self-isolationCredit: Instagram @cristiano

      And a re-test has shown that Ronaldo remains positive for Covid-19, although he is well and symptom free.
      Juventus have sent medical documents to Uefa a week before their group stage clash with Barca, informing them of his condition.
      He will take a THIRD test 24 hours before the game where a negative test will see him able to take on his old foe Lionel Messi.
      Italy’s sports minister alleged that Ronaldo may have broken rules by returning to Italy after testing positive the first time, but Juve president Andrea Agnelli disputes this.

      Andrea Pirlo’s side were without the forward as they dropped points away to Crotone on the weekend before beating Dynamo Kyiv.
      On Sunday, they host Hellas Verona ahead of welcoming Barcelona to Turin three days later.
      Andrea Pirlo’s side were without the forward as they dropped points away to Crotone on the weekend before beating Dynamo Kyiv.
      On Sunday, they host Hellas Verona ahead of welcoming Barcelona to Turin three days later.

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      Lionel Messi may yet face his old rivalCredit: Reuters

      He captioned the post: “Success in life is not measured by what you achieve, but by the obstacles you overcome.”
      Ronaldo’s first positive test meant he sat out Portugal’s Nations League win over Sweden.
      The night before his diagnosis, the forward attended a dinner with the entire squad where social distancing did not appear to be observed.
      An air ambulance flew Ronaldo back to Italy last week.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for coronavirus for second time and will MISS Juventus clash with Barcelona

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time, according to reports.
      The Juventus star had already been diagnosed with the illness while on Portugal duty earlier in the month.

      Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to shake off Covid-19Credit: Reuters

      But nine days after that positive test, Ronaldo is still infectious.
      According to Portuguese newspaper Correio de Manha, the 35-year-old’s latest results came back on Thursday.
      And this second diagnosis will rule Ronaldo out of Juve’s Champions League clash with Barcelona next week.

      Andrea Pirlo’s side were without the forward as they dropped points away to Crotone on the weekend before beating Dynamo Kyiv.
      On Sunday, they host Hellas Verona ahead of welcoming Barcelona to Turin three days later.
      Self-isolation guidelines confirm Ronaldo’s absence for that clash, with Uefa demanding a negative test well in advance of the game.
      The former Manchester United star is holed up in Turin while he overcomes the illness.

      On Wednesday, he posted an Instagram video of himself working out on an exercise bike – while sporting a new shaved head look.

      Fans were anticipating a Champions League meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel MessiCredit: AFP
      He captioned the post: “Success in life is not measured by what you achieve, but by the obstacles you overcome.”
      Ronaldo’s first positive test, confirmed on October 13, meant he sat out Portugal’s Nations League win over Sweden.
      The night before his diagnosis, the forward attended a dinner with the entire squad where social distancing did not appear to be observed.
      An air ambulance flew Ronaldo back to Italy last week.

      Last week, he was said to be ‘doing well’ with no symptoms of the deadly disease.
      Ronaldo’s mother Dolores Aveiro stated: “He’s doing well, thank God.
      “Unfortunately I can’t be with him but I’m supporting him from a distance.”

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      Serge Gnabry tests positive for coronavirus on eve of Bayern Munich’s Champions League opener vs Atletico Madrid

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      SERGE Gnabry has tested positive for coronavirus on the eve of Bayern Munich’s Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
      The club’s Twitter page announced the German had caught the virus.

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      Serge Gnabry has tested positive for Covid-19 a little over 24 hours before Bayern’s first Champions League gameCredit: AFP or licensors

      Bayern say he is doing well and is self-isolating.
      The club conducted tests after a training session on Monday.
      Gnabry trained with his team-mates, so it is unclear whether more positive cases may arise.
      No other positive cases have been announced since the news of Gnabry’s positive test broke.

      German outlet Bild report that the club will release another statement later in the evening.
      The positive result comes just a day before the defending champions open thier campaign against Atletico Madrid.
      Leroy Sane is also injured, leaving manager Hansi Flick with limited options of who to play out wide.

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      Tottenham flop Roberto Soldado tests positive for coronavirus as he reveals he is ‘really upset’ to miss Granada clashes

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      FORMER Spurs striker Roberto Soldado is the latest footballer to test positive for coronavirus.
      The 35-year-old, who now plays for LaLiga side Granada, is self-isolating at home.

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      Granada striker Roberto Soldado (left) tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      His club confirmed the positive result following squad tests yesterday as part of UEFA protocol ahead of the Spanish side’s away match against PSV at the start of the Europa League group phase.
      Granada’s training facilities have been disinfected as a precaution.
      Soldado, who scored just seven goals in 52 appearances for Spurs after signing for a £26million record fee from Valencia in August 2013, said in a social media statement: “I want to tell you I’ve tested positive for Covid.
      “I’m really upset not to be able to join my team-mates in the next few special games.
      “I’m feeling fine and from my home I will support the team just like any other fan.
      “I’m already counting down the days until my return.”
      The club confirmed in a statement: “We would like to confirm that after the scheduled Covid tests conducted as part of UEFA protocol, a positive result for one of the first-team players came back.
      “That player is Roberto Soldado. He’s not showing any symptoms of the virus and is self-isolating at home and his progress is being followed constantly by the club’s medical staff.”

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