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The Premier League will on Friday decide whether or not this weekend’s games will go ahead as the Covid-19 coronavirus fears intensify.
Having already stated on Thursday afternoon that the latest round of matches would take place, Premier League officials will consider the next step following the news that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for Covid-19.
Arsenal confirmed that they have closed their training ground and that all of their squad, as well as the coaching staff, have been told to self-isolate.
Meanwhile, France international Benjamin Mendy trained with his Manchester City teammates on Thursday, but then took appropriate measures after a member of his family was admitted to hospital displaying symptoms related to Covid-19.
City are due to face Burnley at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon and Pep Guardiola seems certain to be without full-back Mendy.
Earlier on Thursday, Brendan Rodgers revealed three Leicester players are self-isolating after showing Covid-19 symptoms, putting their Premier League clash with Watford in doubt.
The Foxes are due to face the Hornets at Vicarage Road in Saturday’s early kick-off but, despite growing fears over the Covid-19, Premier League officials have taken advice from medical experts and matches will go ahead as planned.
A Premier League statement said: “Following the latest update from the [UK government] issued this afternoon, all Premier League matches will go ahead as scheduled this weekend.
“While the Prime Minister [Boris Johnson] advised that all sporting events should take place as normal for now, he also indicated that government is considering banning major public events, like sporting fixtures. We are therefore continuing to work closely with our clubs, the government, The FA, EFL and other relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place as and when circumstances change,” the statement read.
Leicester have not specified which players had been quarantined but said that all three had “shown symptoms and signs” of the Covid-19 condition and insisted that the club had “followed procedures”.
The Foxes boss Rodgers added: “It would be a shame (if the game was postponed), but the public’s health is the most important in all of this.”
Johnson addressed the nation on Thursday afternoon with regards to the government’s stance, which has moved to the “delay” phase of its plan to tackle the pandemic. – Sport24
