The world of football is suffering due to the novel Coronavirus, the spread of the virus has led to the postponement of matches, players being placed in self-isolation and matches being played behind closed doors.
Manchester City’s Premier League match with Arsenal on Wednesday (11.03.20) has been postponed as a “precautionary measure” as Coronavirus spreads.
According to a report by the BBC Sport, several Gunners players have been put into self-isolation. This is after Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus.
Arsenal said Marinakis, 52, met a number of their players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match two weeks ago.
Marinakis who also owns Championship side Nottingham Forest said on Tuesday he had tested positive for Covid-19.
“The players will remain at their homes until the 14-day period expires. Four Arsenal staff, who were sitting close to Mr Marinakis during the match will also remain at home until the 14 days are complete.”
The club said it would refund supporters with tickets and was also contacting other Arsenal staff or guests who shared the directors’ box restaurant during the game, on 27 February.
All sport in Italy has been also been suspended until at least April 3rd 2020 because of the coronavirus outbreak, including games in the country’s top-flight Serie A football division and Six Nations rugby union matches.
Prime minister Guiseppe Conte told Italians to “stay at home” in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus across the county.
Italy has seen the largest outbreak of the virus in Europe, with more than 7,000 confirmed infections and 463 deaths.
Matches in the top two divisions in Spain and France are to be played behind closed doors because of coronavirus concerns.
La Liga announced its ruling will affect the next two rounds of fixtures while the French league said fans will be banned until 15 April. La Liga said it acted on guidance from Spain’s ministry of health.
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The French government also announced on Sunday a ban on all gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
In Germany, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Bundesliga tie against Cologne on Wednesday night will take place behind close doors, as will five of the nine top-flight matches over the weekend.
Barcelona’s Champions League match against Napoli on 18 March will also be played at an empty Nou Camp.
The disease, which can cause a fever, cough and breathing problems, is spreading around the world and has already affected more than 120,000 people and resulted in close to 4,500 deaths.
