Super Eagles duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho could be in jeopardy of contracting coronavirus after Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that three of his first team players have self-isolated after exhibiting symptoms of the killer bug.
Rodgers revealed the development in a press conference on Thursday saying that the affected players “have been kept away from the rest of the squad”.
Rodgers did not disclose the identities of the affected players but added that the club had “followed procedures”.
Ndidi only recently returned to action after a period out with a knee complaint and was in the starting line up along with Iheanacho in Monday’s 4-0 win against Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes are due to play Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League in Saturday’s early kickoff.
“We had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs,” Rodgers said.
Brendan Rodgers: "We've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs (of coronavirus). We’ve followed procedures and (as a precaution) they have been kept away from the squad." pic.twitter.com/KZDXeRgzhT
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 12, 2020
“It would be a shame [if the Watford game were postponed], but the public’s health is the most important in all of this.”
Asked if the game could be played behind closed doors, Rodgers said: “The game is all about the players and the fans and if you have one of those not there, it’s obviously not the same”.
The development is the latest in a long list of unfortunate events that have come in the wake of the coronavirus which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday and Sampdoria forward Manolo Gabbiadini was declared as Serie A’s second confirmed case on Thursday.
Italy has been the worst-hit country in Europe with over 10000 cases and 900 deaths recorded. All sporting events in the country has been shut down amid a nationwide lockdown and Serie A has been suspended until 3 April at least.
La Liga postponed fixtures for the next two weeks at least after the entire Real Madrid squad was placed in quarantine following the positive case of COVID-19 for the club’s basketball player.
The league in France has also been postponed and there is uncertainty surrounding tonight’s Europa League last 16 fixtures with reports suggesting that UEFA could call the games off.
Fixtures are set to go on in England as scheduled although reports say the Premier League has set out a plan to hold games behind closed doors if required.
Basketball’s NBA suspended the season indefinitely after two stars tested positive for coronavirus and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Australia has been called off after members of the Mclaren team tested positive to the disease.
