London (AFP) – The Premier League could be forced into lockdown after Arsenal’s match at Brighton was postponed when Gunners manager Mikel Arteta contracted the coronavirus on Thursday.
Arsenal’s training ground has been closed and their players and staff have gone into self-isolation following Arteta’s shock positive test.
Less than an hour after Arsenal revealed Arteta’s illness, Brighton announced that their scheduled clash at the Amex Stadium had been cancelled.
“It’s absolutely essential the health and wellbeing of individuals takes priority and with that in mind Saturday’s match has been postponed,” Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said in a statement.
“We apologise to all fans for any inconvenience but trust everyone will understand that we are all facing an unprecedented situation.
“First and foremost our thoughts are with Mikel Arteta and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
The Premier League, who had earlier insisted all games would go ahead this weekend, responded by revealing they will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss how to deal with the global pandemic’s effect on their fixtures.
“In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures,” the Premier League said.
Arteta said: “This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”
There are over 590 confirmed cases of the virus in Britain and 10 people have died from it so far.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said the government was “considering the question of banning major public events such as sporting fixtures”, but was not ready to do so yet.
Now Arteta’s illness could force the Premier League’s hand and lead to the cancellation of matches this weekend and possibly into the future.
In Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, Serie A has suspended matches until at least April 3 and Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has been quarantined.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, will consider whether to postpone the Champions League and Euro 2020 at a meeting next week.
All French Ligue 1 matches will be behind closed doors until April 15.
The next two La Liga match days have been suspended and this weekend’s Bundesliga fixtures are behind closed doors.
Arsenal’s league match at Manchester City last Wednesday was postponed and several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted the virus.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/33e9duH
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