Soccer
Italian Serie A club Juventus revealed that one of their players has been tested positive for coronavirus. Daniele Rugani who plays as a defender for the Serie A giant is the first top-flight footballer to be the victim of the disease that has killed over 4200 people worldwide.
The club released the result in the website and published a statement that read:
“The footballer Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic. Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including the census of those who have had contact with him.”
Urgent communication. Player tested positive for COVID-19.https://t.co/JdwTzLOjR6 pic.twitter.com/L8pU59zkYf
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 11, 2020
Rugani has been placed in the quarantine and the club is testing those who had contact with him. Rugani, who is also a member of the Italian National team, has made 7 senior appearances this season. He is signed with Juventus for 7 years including a two-year loan spell at Empoli.
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The defender made a post in an Instagram and wrote:
"I want to reassure all those who are worried about me, I'm fine. At this moment, however, I feel even more duty to thank all the doctors and nurses who are struggling in hospitals to cope with this crisis. I invite 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."
Rugani was an unused substitute in the team's last game against Inter Milan last Sunday. Shortly after Juventus' announcement, Inter released a statement saying the club had decided to suspend "all competitive activities'' until further notice.
German club Hannover also announced Wednesday that defender Timo Hubers has also tested positive for the disease.
