Wolves had requested to UEFA to cancel or postponed their game Europa League clash against Olympiacos this midweek after the owner of the Greek side was tested positive for coronavirus.
But the governing body of football in Europe has rejected that request meaning Wolves will have to fly off to play the first leg of the Round of 16 matches at the Karaiskakis Stadium. And the club have labelled this move as an ‘unnecessary risk’.
“Our position is that the trip poses unnecessary risks to our players, staff, supporters and the families of all who travel, at such critical and uncertain times,” the club said via Sky Sports.
“Our concern is also for our opponents, whose players and staff have today been tested, and will now be expected to play their part in an important fixture, under the difficult and challenging circumstances of their owner suffering with the virus.
“There is also disappointment that the match will be played without home and away supporters, as that is part of what makes European competition so special, as well as the fact our fans have already contended with similar obstacles on our Europa League journey already this season.
“We believe that there are some things that are more important than football, and that the good health of our pack and the general public is one of them.
Chelsea, Rangers, Man Utd and Wolves will all play their upcoming European games behind closed doors due to coronavirus concerns.
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) March 10, 2020
“However, we respect the decision of UEFA and the integrity of the competition, and we will travel tomorrow to Greece to play the fixture.
“We hope that our request to UEFA, and our acceptance of their decision, can act as the catalyst for them to consider alternative options moving forwards, as this will not be the last fixture to be affected by coronavirus.”
What precautions are Wolves taking?
While UEFA have refused to abandon the match but they have given permission to the Wolves boss to cancel his pre-match press conference and Nuno Espirito Santo will also not be giving any post-match interviews.
Apart from that, even the players will not give any post-match interviews since the mixed zone inside the stadium will be closed.
Also, there have been reports that the Wolves side will be using the hotel’s pitch for their training meaning they will only enter the Karaiskakis Stadium for the match.
After the Olympiacos owner was tested positive, the club have done tests on all their players and squad members. And all of them have tested negative.
A statement released by the Greek club read: “Olympiakos FC informs that after the required medical exams to which all the members of the football staff, as well as board members and staff, were submitted, all the tests came out negative for the COVID-19 virus.”
