JUVENTUS DEFENDER RUGANI TESTS POSITIVE FOR VIRUS

MILAN: Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani became the first Serie A footballer to test positive for coronavirus, the Italian champions confirmed.

The 25-year-old “is currently asymptomatic,” the Turin giants said, but the club is “currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him.” Rugani is the first top-flight footballer to fall victim to the virus which has killed 827 in Italy and infected 12,000 people, including several Serie C players. Rugani has spent the last seven years at Juventus apart from a twoyear loan spell at Empoli.

He has played just three league games this season, most recently against Brescia on February 16 and SPAL on February 22.

He was on the bench in Lyon for the Champions League last 16, first leg clash on February 26 in France and the team’s last game against Inter Milan in Serie

A on March 8.

Inter said Wednesday that “all competitive activities have been suspended until further notice” as a result of Rugani’s positive test. “The club is currently taking steps to put all the necessary procedures into place,” the Milan club said.

RONALDO IN QUARANTINE

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo has been in quarantine in Madeira for several days but is not showing any symptoms of the coronavirus contracted by Juventus teammate Rugani, local authorities in Portugal said.

“Ronaldo left Italy a few days ago and his isolation hasn’t just started now,” said Pedro Ramos, a member of the Madeira regional government in charge of health. “The athlete and his family are symptomless,” he added. “The players, members of staff and all those who came into contact (with Rugani) are in voluntary isolation. Ronaldo... is in Madeira and is staying there until further notice,” the Serie A club said.