Foreign Players Positive For COVID-19, Chinese League Postponed Longer

Chinese Super League illustration (Twitter @chinesefooty)

JAKARTA - The test results of a Brazilian player on Wednesday, March 8 tested positive for COVID-19. The Chinese League was postponed even longer. The 30-year-old is currently being treated at a hospital in the city of Meizhou, near Guangzhou.

According to Soccerway, local health officials did not name the player, but Chinese media said the player was attacker Meizhou Hakka Dorielton, and he was the first reported case of a Chinese professional football competition.

The player's current condition is unknown. Meizhou Hakka himself competes in the second tier of Chinese football. The player arrived at Guangzhou Airport from Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday and has been taken to hospital.

Dorielton started his professional football career with Brazilian giants Fluminense. However, he spent more of his career in Chinese football. The Oriental Sports daily said the entire Meizhou squad was currently in quarantine and the new season was postponed even longer.

All football activities in China have been suspended since January 30, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously there had been hopes that China's top-tier football could start next month. The new season was originally planned to start on February 22nd.

"The Chinese Football Association will continue to maintain close communication with national authorities, determine the timing of each season in combination with the actual development of the epidemic situation and make reasonable adjustments to the system, schedule and scale of events if necessary," in a statement. read on today.

"Relevant information will be released in due time via the official CFA channels.

"On behalf of the majority of football workers across the country, the Chinese Football Association pays deep tribute to all the medical workers and staff who are currently fighting at the forefront of epidemic prevention and control!"