The Coronavirus outbreak made his first big sporting impact in the UK after the Premier League game between Manchester City and Arsenal has been postponed.
Arsenal recently played Olympiacos in the Europa League and it has now been revealed that the owner of the Greek side, Evangelos Marinakis has tested positive for coronavirus.
Marinakis who also owns Nottingham Forest was present inside the stadium during the second leg tie at the Emirates and he even met some of the Arsenal players after the match.
And this is why the authorities have taken no risk at all and have decided to postpone the match.
A statement released by Arsenal stated: “Our Premier League match with Manchester City on Wednesday night has been postponed.
“Following yesterday’s news that Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has recently contracted Covid-19, we have been taking medical advice and tracing any individuals who had what the guidelines define as close contact with him at the game 13 days ago.
As a result of this exercise, we identified that a number of players met the Olympiacos owner immediately following the game.”
And since the Arsenal players have come into contact with someone who’s tested positive for Coronavirus there have now been reports that their match vs Brighton this weekend in the Premier League is also under jeopardy.
But the North London club have confirmed that since the 14 days observation period is already over, the Brighton vs Arsenal game will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday at the AmEx Stadium.
The Arsenal statement released confirmed: “The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing Covid-19 at extremely low.
“However, we are strictly following the government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact.
“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.
“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Mr Marinakis a swift recovery and we look forward to the players and staff returning to work on Friday in preparation for our match at Brighton.”
