Hudson-Odoi Becomes The First Premier League Player To Test Positive For COVID-19
JAKARTA - Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi has become the first Premier League player to test positive for COVID-19 or the coronavirus, the Premier League club has confirmed. The entire Chelsea squad, coaching staff and several backroom staff will be isolated.
The men's team building will be closed, but the rest of the club's training facilities and Stamford Bridge will continue to operate as normal.
"Callum showed symptoms similar to a cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution," read the statement, "read a Chelsea statement on their official website.
"However, his test results came back positive tonight and he will undergo a period of self-isolation.
"Despite testing positive for the coronavirus, Callum is well and hopes to return to the training ground as soon as possible."
The statement added: "We wish Callum a hurry and look forward to welcoming him back to the club very soon."
Club statement.
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 13, 2020
Earlier, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta also tested positive for the coronavirus. The clash between his team and Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend has been postponed.
The Premier League will hold an emergency meeting on Friday, while Chelsea are scheduled to visit Aston Villa on Saturday.
The second leg of Manchester City vs Real Madrid is postponed
Still from England, Manchester City announced that the second leg of the Champions League last 16 against Real Madrid on Wednesday next week has been postponed.
The Premier League champions made a joint decision with the European Football Federation (UEFA) after Madrid quarantined their players because the Real Madrid basketball team tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.
It is known that the main basketball and football teams use the same training facilities.
This is City's second game to be postponed in a week, previously their Premier League match against Arsenal which was supposed to take place on Wednesday had to be canceled just hours before kick-off.
"The decision to postpone Tuesday's match (local time) was made in conjunction with UEFA and following the replacement of the Real Madrid player for 15 days, after it was discovered that a player from the club's basketball team tested positive for Covid-19," City said in a statement on the official website. club.
CLUB STATEMENT https://t.co/65muifR2qT
- Manchester City (@ManCity) March 12, 2020
"The club wishes the players and staff in the Real Madrid football and basketball team the best."
The clash between the English and Spanish giants is not the only Champions League match postponed due to the spread of the pandemic.
The second leg between Juventus and Lyon will have to suffer a similar fate. Juventus players are also currently forced to carry out a quarantine process after it was confirmed that defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for the corona virus.