SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

 Daniele Rugani Tests Positive For Coronavirus




Juventus have announced that 25-year-old defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Italy international is the first player from the club to test positive for the virus.

“The footballer Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic,” the Italian club said in a short statement published on Wednesday night.


“Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him.”

Juventus, who are based in the city of Turin in the northwest region of Piedmont, were earlier this month forced to cancel youth team training sessions after three opposition players tested positive for the virus.

All Italian sport has been suspended until 3 April because of the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

Juventus’ next scheduled game is on 17 March against Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League and the match could still take place, albeit behind closed doors.

“Juventus have confirmed to us that we will play on Tuesday night behind closed doors in Turin,” Lyon’s president, Jean-Michel Aulas, told French newspaper L’Équipe on Tuesday.

“This has been confirmed by Uefa. The Italian Prime Minister had said that no matches could be played, but then said that this pertained to matches at a national level and not at an international level.”

Nearly 200 people in Italy have died in 24 hours as cases of coronavirus in the country continue to rise.

There have been 827 deaths in Italy and the number of cases jumped by more than 2,000 – from 10,149 to 12,462 – official figures showed on Wednesday evening.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/daniele-rugani-coronavirus-juventus-italy-covid-19-positive-health-latest-a9395986.html%3famp

[Edoman]

Neymar set PSG on their way to Champions League quarters


Paris Saint-Germain players celebrated with supporters gathered outside the ground after Neymar set them on their way to a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund behind closed doors, taking them through to the Champions League quarterfinals 3-2 on aggregate.

PSG needed to overturn a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 tie with Germain side, Neymar’s 28th-minute header put them ahead on the night in the second leg amid a surreal atmosphere.

Juan Bernat then deflected after Pablo Sarabia assist to make it 2-0 for whom Kylian Mbappe was only fit enough to appear as a substitute, go through to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. Dortmund finished the night with 10 men after Emre Can was sent off.

“We played like a team. It was a pleasure to be their coach tonight,” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told broadcaster RMC Sport.

He added: “The atmosphere was great coming here in the bus, with all the ultras singing. We were all singing together and it was a special atmosphere. Its needed a huge effort from us, playing without spectators made it all the more difficult“.

Neymar was captured on camera in tears after the match, having shaken off desperate disappointment in the competition in the last two years, with injury preventing him from playing in the second leg against Real Madrid at this stage in 2018 and in both legs against Manchester United last season.

Kylian Mbappe was only shortlisted among the substitutes after struggling with illness and currently undergoing a test for coronavirus in the build-up to the game. His absence from the starting line-up was just the latest blow for coach Thomas Tuchel, who was also without the suspended Marco Verratti and injured centre-back Thiago Silva.

[Edoman]

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly in quarantine in Madeira after his teammate Daniele Rugani tested positive for coronavirus 







Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly in quarantine in his Madeira home after his Juventus team-mate Daniele Rugani tested positive for coronavirus. 
 
On Wednesday night, Italian defender Daniele Rugani became the second professional footballer to test positive for coronavirus in Germany after Hannover 96 defender Timo Hubers was diagnosed. 
 
Rugani wrote on Twitter: 'You will have read the news and that's why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I'm fine.
 
'I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinctions! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us.' 
 
Before the news broke, Ronaldo had flown back to his homeland in Madeira to visit his mother, who recently suffered a stroke after Juventus 2 - 0 win against Inter Milan which was played behind closed doors last Sunday.
 
In a picture posted on Instagram by Miralem Pjanic after the game Ronaldo and Rugani were pictured celebrating the victory with their team-mates in their dressing room.
 

 
Now everyone who came into contact with Rugani on both sides are now required to be in isolation.
 
According to Portuguese publications, Quotidiano Sportivo and Abola, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in quarantine back home in Madeira, Portugal. 
 

 
Juventus are scheduled to face Lyon in the Champions League next Tuesday with the game expected to be played behind closed doors but there are reports the clash might be postponed by UEFA. 
 
 

[Edoman]

All Real Madrid Players And Staff Go Into Coronavirus Quarantine 



The entire Real Madrid club is in quarantine now after a basketball player tested positive for coronavirus.

A player of Real Madrid's basketball team has been tested positive for coronavirus.

Therefore, all Real Madrid football and basketball players must now remain at home, in quarantine, for two weeks as the two teams share the same sporting facilities.

There are three games scheduled for Real Madrid in the next two weeks: UCL second leg tie against Man City and La Liga games against Eibar and Valencia.

All three games have to be postponed now.

Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2020/03/12/sport-hit-coronavirus-thursday-updates-including-football-matches/

[Edoman]

 Coronavirus: Three Leicester City Players In Isolation After Showing Symptoms 



Breaking news

Three Leicester City players have self-isolated after showing symptoms of coronavirus and "have been kept away from the rest of the squad", manager Brendan Rodgers has said.

Rodgers did not specify which players had been quarantined but added that the club had "followed procedures".

The Foxes are due to play Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday at 12:45 GMT.

"We had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs," Rodgers said.

"It would be a shame [if the Watford game were postponed], but the public's health is the most important in all of this."

Source
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51856906

[Edoman]

 UEFA consider Champions League and Europa League suspension 




UEFA consider Champions League and Europa League suspension

UEFA is reviewing whether to suspend the Champions League and Europa League due to coronavirus.

Senior figures want it suspended with the virus beginning to affect a number of the teams involved in their competitions.

Real Madrid were scheduled to face Manchester City at the Etihad in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, but their first-team squad have been placed in quarantine.

The players will self-isolate for 15 days after a member of the Spanish club's basketball team, who they share a training ground with, tested positive for the coronavirus.

[Edoman]

All La Liga games in Spain are suspended amid Coronavirus pandemic







La Liga has announced that the league has been suspended for two weeks following the coronavirus outbreak. 
 
At an emergency meeting between The RFEF (The Royal Spanish Football Federation), La Liga officials and AFA (the Association of Spanish Footballers) on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, it was decided that the measure would be taken in other to stop the spread of coronavirus. 
 
The decision was taken just after Real Madrid's football players were placed in quarantine after a member of the Spanish club's basketball team, who they share a training ground with, tested positive for the coronavirus.
 
A La Liga statement read: "La Liga has decided given the circumstances that have come to light this morning, such as the quarantine put in place at Real Madrid and possible positive cases at other clubs, to continue with the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19,"
 
"It has been agreed that the competition will be suspended for the next two matchdays.
 
"Said decision will be re-evaluated after the completion of the quarantines undertaken in the affected clubs and in other possible situations that may arise."


 

[Edoman]

Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder test negative to hard drugs and stimulants as final drug test results are released






The World Boxing Council has released Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury's drug test results, over two weeks after their blockbuster fight.
 
Blood and urine samples of both boxers were taken by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association and regulated by the WBC's clean boxing programme before the WBC title fight between Fury and Wilder's Feb 23 blockbuster fight and both boxers' results have come clean.
 
The WBC released a statement, saying: "World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, and Deontay Wilder, came out clean in the doping tests conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association as part of the successful Clean Boxing Program.
"We want to thank both warriors and their respective teams for their willingness to sign up for the Clean Boxing Program and demonstrate that they are both exemplary athletes, who testify to their honesty and commitment to boxing."
 
The result puts to bed any possible talk of use of stimulating drugs by both boxers.
 
Fury beat Wilder on Feb 23 in Las Vegas to clinch the WBC, Lineal and Ring magazine belts.

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[Edoman]

Italian striker Manolo Gabbiadini tests positive for coronavirus








Former Southampton striker, Manolo Gabbiadini has tested positive for coronavirus.
 
The 28-year-old Italian footballer who currently plays for Sampdoria is now the second player in Serie A to test positive for the disease, after Juventus defender Daniele Rugani contracted the virus last night. 
 
“Gabbiadini has a slight fever, but is otherwise fine,” read a statement released by Sampdoria.
 
“The club is activating all isolation procedures as set out by the authorities.”
 
Shortly after the announcement, Gabbiadini released his own statement saying: “I’ve tested positive for coronavirus,” he said. ”I want to thank you all for the many messages I’ve received.
 
“I also want to let you know that I’m fine, so don’t worry. Follow the rules, stay at home and everything will work out.”
 
Gabbidaini, who is an Italy international, has also played for Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta.

[Edoman]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tests positive for coronavirus
















Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus.

 

The club released a statement on Thursday evening confirming the news, saying they expect a "significant number of people" will self-isolate, including first-team staff and coaches.


The statement read: “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is. Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”

 

Managing director Vinai Venkatesham added: "Mikel and the full first-team squad, players and staff, will be fully supported, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows. Obviously, Mikel’s full recovery is the priority now for us all.”

 

Arteta himself added: "This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed."


The Premier League will hold "an emergency club meeting" on Friday to discuss future fixtures.

[Edoman]

Chelsea FC on lockdown after its player, Callum Hudson-Odoi tests positive for coronavirus






English Football Club, Chelsea FC has gone into full isolation after one of its players Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus. 
 
In a statement released by the club in the early hours of Friday March 13, it was gathered that medical tests carried out on Hudson-Odoi who displayed cold symptoms on Monday morning and stayed away from the club since then, came back positive on Thursday night.
 
Chelsea said in its statement; 
 

“Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for coronavirus returned this evening. Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the men’s team building will now self-isolate in line with government health guidelines.
“These will include initially the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff. Despite testing positive, the 19-year-old is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible. 
"It is expected that those who did not have close contact with Callum will return to work in the coming days. In the meantime, the men's team building, one of several separate buildings at our training ground, will remain closed.
"The rest of our training facility, Stamford Bridge and our other facilities are operating as normal."

 

 
The team was scheduled to play at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, but it seems the match will not proceed. The remainder of the Premier League season, in fact, is in doubt with the League to hold a meeting on Friday to determine a course of action in response to the coronavirus.
 
Hudson-Odoi is the first player in the Premier League to have a confirmed case of the virus. COVID-19 has caused league closures in Italy, France and Spain as the World Health Organization recently elevated it to a pandemic. There have been over 130,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Over 69,000 people have recovered, while it has been fatal to just under 5,000.
 
This is coming after Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday night. Arsenal’s game at Brighton this weekend has already been called off. 

[Edoman]

SPORT
Ighalo equals Lukaku’s record at Man Utd

 March 13, 2020


Odion Ighalo has now scored in all his three starts for Manchester United, equalling Romelu Lukaku’s record for the club.



Ighalo netted his fourth goal for the Red Devils in their 5-0 victory over LASK in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The 30-year-old started the game in Austria, following injury to Anthony Martial.



He repaid Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s faith, by putting United ahead in the 28th minute with a wonder goal.
Ighalo controlled Bruno Fernandes’ pass with a few neat touches, before firing high into the net past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

The Nigerian striker then provided as assist for Daniel James to make it 2-0.



Juan Mata, Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira all scored too, as Solskjaer’s men took a big step towards the quarter-finals

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EPL: Solskjaer drops big hint about Ighalo’s future at Man Utd after 5-0 win over LASK

 March 13, 2020


Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has confirmed that Odion Ighalo will be at the club next season.



Ighalo now has four goals in three starts, following his wonder strike against LASK in the Europa League last-16 game against LASK on Thursday.


The 30-year-old opened scoring as United romped to a 5-0 win in Austria.



Speaking after the game, Solskjaer told reporters that Ighalo is playing his way to landing a permanent deal.
“Odion has done really well since he’s come in. He will improve and get better and has qualities we saw in him that we needed and they are qualities we will still need next season.


“He’s a goalscorer and a striker. He knows his job and what his role is in the team.



“He’s very good with his back to goal and a good link player, but best thing about him is his personality. He’s got the lot, really,” he said.

[Edoman]

Champions League: Money Liverpool lost after crashing out against Atletico revealed

 March 13, 2020


Liverpool are expected to lose over £30million, after failing to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in three years, the Daily Mail reports.



The Reds lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in Spain and were beaten 3-2 by the LaLiga side at Anfield on Wednesday.
Before then, Jurgen Klopp had won all 10 of his previous knockout fixtures as Liverpool manager.



Last season, the Reds received £54.7million in prize money for winning the trophy.

However, elimination during this year’s last-16 stage will have a considerable impact on their finances.


Klopp’s men have also crashed out of the FA Cup, but are poised to win the Premier League for the first time in 30 years.

[Edoman]

Chelsea player, Callum Hudson-Odoi who tested positive for coronavirus says he has recovered 







Chelsea FC player, Callum Hudson-Odoi who tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday night has disclosed that he has recovered from the flu-like virus. 
 
In a new video he shared on Instagram, the footballer revealed that he is currently following all the laid-out guidelines for the disease and hopes to get back to playing football soon. 
 
Hudson-Odoi wrote; 
 

Thank you for all your good wishes, as I said in the video I’m feeling good and hope to see you all soon

 

 
Recall Chelsea reacted to Hudson-Odoi's positive coronavirus test by partially closing their training facilities, with Saturday's scheduled Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge now likely to be postponed.
 
The Blues have also cancelled Frank Lampard's usual pre-match news conference, with the entire men's squad, coaching staff and backroom staff set to join Hudson-Odoi in self-isolation.
 
19-year-old Hudson-Odoi is the first Premier League player publicly confirmed to have the virus which has so far infected at least 596 and killed 10 in the UK. A number of other Premier League teams have sent players away to self-isolate, with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers confirming 3 players had symptoms.

[Edoman]

Cristiano Ronaldo does not have coronavirus - Madeiran health chief reveals '








Juventus striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has not been infected with the coronavirus despite being held in quarantine in his native Madeira, the president of the Portuguese islands has confirmed.
 
This week, the Portuguese footballer flew home to Madeira to visit his sick mother Dolores, who suffered a stroke earlier this month and quarantined himself after his teammate Daniele Rugani was diagnosed with coronavirus, with Paulo Dybala also reported to have tested positive, a report which Juventus have reportedly denied.
 
The former Real Madrid star has since threatened not to return back to Italy and will remain at home while the fear of infection is still high. 
 
Speaking about the state of Cristiano Ronaldo, President of the Madeira regional government Miguel Albuquerque said: 'I cannot speak of this issue for data protection reasons, but I want to say that the situation has been properly analysed and it is, at this time, guaranteed that there is no possibility of infection.'
 
Regional health secretary Pedro Ramos confirmed: 'Both the athlete and his family are asymptomatic.'
 
Earlier today, Juventus confirmed that 121 people, including players, staff members, escorts, managers, and Juventus employees are self-isolating at home.
 

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Man Utd stance on making Odion Ighalo transfer permanent revealed after the Red Devils' 5-0 win against LASK







Manchester United head coach, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has revealed that the club will give Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo a permanent contract.
 
Ighalo was signed on a six months loan contract from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on transfer deadline day in January as a back up to the injured Marcus Rashford, but has shone everytime he put on a Manchester United jersey to play for the club.
                         
 
The Ajegunle born forward continued his excellent play since joining United with a fine goal in the 5-0 Europa League victory over LASK in Austria, taking three touches on air before slotting the ball in with a massive shot- and Solksjaer a huge fan of Ighalo says the player has already shown enough to warrant a place in the Manchester United squad next season.
 

 
'Odion has done really well since he came in and he's enjoying himself,' Solskjaer said following the game.

'And he will improve and get better but he has qualities we saw in him and we needed and we will still need those qualities for next season, so let's see what we will do.
 

 
'He's a goalscorer and a striker, he doesn't worry too much about all that nonsense; build-up play - that's a joke, obviously.

'He knows his job and what his role in the team is, and he's very good with his back to goal, great link player, but maybe the best thing about him is his personality, so he's got the whole lot really.

'He had three touches before his fourth was the finish. All them touches were high quality but he had to make them to create space for himself. But the strike is on the half-volley, great timing, no one would have saved that one so anyone would have been proud of that finish.'
 
Ighalo on his part, insists he’ll talk about his Old Trafford future at the end of the season.
 
When asked whether he’ll make his United move permanent, Ighalo told Sky Sports: "For now, I'm enjoying my time, I'm living my dream and I'm working hard.

"It's too early to talk about the future, now is for me to fight in every game, make sure I give my blood and sweat for the team, try to win games and make sure we end the season well.
"After this season, we'll see what's going on.

"For now, I want to keep working day-by-day, game-to-game, improving and working with these great lads in this team and this great coach who had the confidence to bring me here.

"I have to make sure I pay him back with goals, hopefully with trophies, winning games, fighting for the team, fighting for the badge and after this season, we talk about the next stage."

 

[Edoman]

Coronavirus: Barcelona stars including Lionel Messi go into quarantine













Spanish giants, Barcelona is the latest club to be hit by the coronavirus outbreak as the whole squad including Lionel Messi have been quarantined. 
 
The news comes days after their arch-rivals Real Madrid's squad were also put on lockdown after a player from the club's basketball team tested positive for coronavirus at their training HQ.
 
Barcelona have now been forced to suspend all activity until further notice with players told to undertake personalised regimes at home. 
 
The decision was made after meeting on Friday, which was attended by club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and a series of medical professionals. 
 
A statement from Barcelona read: "Given the health situation and following the recommendations of the Club's medical managers, the first soccer team suspends all its activity until further notice.
 
"This decision was made after the meeting held this morning by the first football team with President Josep Maria Bartomeu, Dr. Jaume Padros ??and Dr. Antoni Trilla."
 
The Spanish LaLiga has also been suspended two-week because of the rapid spread of coronavirus.

[Edoman]

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta reveals he is recovering well after testing positive for coronavirus















Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta has revealed he is "feeling better already" after he had tested positive for coronavirus.
 
Posting on Twitter, the 37-year-old spaniard wrote: 'Thanks for your words and support. Feeling better already. We’re all facing a huge & unprecedented challenge. Everyone’s health is all that matters right now. Protect each other by following the guidelines & we’ll come through this together. Well done PL for making the right decisions.'
 

 
On Thursday, it was revealed that the Arsenal manager had been diagnosed with the deadly virus with the first-team squad and coaching staff forced to self-isolating in line with government health guidelines.
 
Chelsea's full squad has also gone into self-isolation after winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus, the club said in a statement in the early hours of Friday morning.
 
He later revealed that he's recovered from the virus. 
 
The winger tweeted: "As you may be aware, I've had the virus for the last couple of days, which I've recovered from.
 
"I'm feeling fine. Following the health guidelines and self-isolating myself from everybody for the week. I hope to see everybody soon and hopefully be back on the pitch very soon."
 
 

[Edoman]

Fiorentina football stars Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella test positive for Coronavirus 







On-loan Wolves striker, Patrick Cutrone and his Fiorentina teammate German Pezzella have tested positive for coronavirus in Italy. 
 
The Italian striker who joined the Serie A club on an 18-month loan deal in January was diagnosed with the virus alongside Pezzella and the club physio Stefano Danielli.
 
On Saturday, the Italian club confirmed the positive tests of Cutrone, German Pezzella and club physio Stefano Danielli in a statement. 
 
A statement said: 'ACF Fiorentina announces that footballers Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella and physiotherapist Stefano Dainelli also underwent tests, as they were showing some symptoms. All three resulted positive and are in good health at their homes in Florence.'
 


This comes a day after Fiorentina confirmed that Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic had also tested positive for the virus.
 
The World Health Organization has also warned that Europe has now become the "epicentre" of the world’s coronavirus pandemic after more infections and deaths from COVID-19 than the combined rest of the world, apart from China.