The world of football has been abruptly put on hold ever since the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, commonly known to the general public as the ‘coronavirus’.
At first, it seemed like it could be contained within the borders of China, where it presumably originated, but it has now spread practically all across the globe, making the mundane things extremely hard or even impossible to do.
Initially, we’ve seen a plethora of games played behind closed doors in order to minimise the spread but the situation couldn’t be controlled and football has been postponed until further notice with multiple stars, coaches and even owners contracting the virus.
With that in mind, we give you all the so far confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the world of football.
Mikel Arteta has been among the first ones to contract the virus in the English top-flight and his case was essentially the one to finally prompt the Premier League into action and eventually into postponement.
The Gunners explained the situation in an official post, stating that the team is going to be quarantined as a result.
Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi was another one of the Premier League stars who were unfortunate enough to contract the virus but the player has since been recovering steadily.
He posted updates on his social media accounts and seems to be doing fine as of right now.
Italy’s Serie A has been among the first leagues to put their football on hold and one of the confirmed cases of the virus among the players was actually Daniele Rugani.
Juventus’ ace was tested positive and that was shortly confirmed by the Bianconeri outfit, sending the team into isolation and quarantine as well.
The former Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who now plays with Sampdoria, was confirmed as having tested positive for Covid-19 as well, shortly after Rugani himself.
Along with him, the club has confirmed Albin Ekdal, Antonino la Gumina, Morten Thorsby, Bartosz Bereszynski and Fabio Depaoli are all sick as well but they will no longer give updates so as to avoid “unhelpful scaremongering”.
Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest, also tested positive for the virus after meeting a number of Arsenal players and staff when the Gunners faced Olympiakos in a Europa League tie back in February.
The 52-year-old caused quite a commotion since he was in contact with multiple players from both sides, as well as their staff members.
Patrick Cutrone tested positive and his Fiorentina had to be put under quarantine as well.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers player is, however, not the only one from the Italian outfit to have contracted the virus. German Pezzella and the team’s physiotherapist Stefano Dainelli were also confirmed as one of the infected players as they suffered the same fate as Cutrone.
German second division club Hannover 96 have also been hit by the virus and they have since stated that their entire team is in quarantine after two players tested positive for the coronavirus.
So far, the confirmed cases were that of Timo Hubers and Jannes Horn.
Over in Spain, there are also several players and teams who have contracted the virus, Valencia being one of the more serious cases.
The Bats have now confirmed five of their players are infected but we only know the identity of two: Ezequiel Garay and Eliaquim Mangala.
As of right now, we don’t know which players or staff members have tested positive for the virus over in the Foxes’ camp but Brendan Rodgers has since confirmed there are a number of players who have shown some symptoms of the illness.
Five Bournemouth staff members, including their goalkeeper Artur Boruc, went into voluntary self-isolation after the club confirmed that they had displayed symptoms that could indicate they have contracted Covid-19.
Hyun-Jun Suk, who plays for Ligue 2 side Troyes, reportedly also tested positive for the virus following several days of feeling under the weather and showing some symptoms of the virus.
The South Korea international is now reportedly among the ones in self-isolation with the club confirming there are two cases of the virus in their midst but without naming any of the players infected.
Paderborn defender Luca Kilian was among some of the first Bundesliga players to actually contract the disease along the aforementioned Hannover players.
The club were quick to officially confirm the news as soon as the test came back positive, prompting caution and further testing of the rest of the squad.
Elche had to close down their facilities after confirming one of the players have contracted the virus but we were not given his name as of yet.
So far, he seems to be the only case in the club.
