Juventus centre-back, Daniele Rugani, has tested positive for coronavirus, the Serie A club have confirmed.
Juventus said the 25-year-old defender is currently not showing signs of any COVID-19 symptoms, but have confirmed that he has contracted the illness.
A statement from the club 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.”
The defender, who has made seven appearances in all competitions for Juventus this season, was named as a substitute during Juventus’ last game, a 2-0 win over Inter Milan on March 8 which took place behind closed doors.
Rugani, a four-time Serie A winner, posted a photo on Twitter following Juventus’ win over Inter, showing the Italian international celebrating with his team-mates in the dressing room.
Inter Milan suspend activities
Inter Milan have suspended all competitive activities following the development in Juventus.
“Following Juventus FC’s announcement that their player Daniele Rugani has tested positive for COVID-19, FC Internazionale announce that all competitive activities have been suspended until further notice.
“The Club is currently taking steps to put all the necessary procedures into place,” the club announced on Wednesday.
Italy has been put on lockdown this week due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the number of dead nationally has risen by 196 to 827 in a day – a jump of 31 per cent.
Turin-based side Juventus play in the capital of the Italian region of Piedmont in northern Italy, close to the epicentre of the virus outbreak in Bergamo.
Serie A suspends training
On Wednesday, Serie A advised the league’s clubs not involved in UEFA competitions to suspend training for seven days.
Players of the 20 top-flight sides have been informed that they will receive further specific instructions on what behaviour is expected of them.
Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that all sporting fixtures including all Serie A matches are suspended until at least April 3 due to coronavirus fears.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) admitted on Tuesday the Serie A season might not finish because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Juventus are still due to face Lyon in the round-of-16 in the Champions League on March 17 at the Allianz Stadium, behind closed doors.
Inter versus Getafe and Sevilla against Roma in the Europa League have both been postponed this week.
Players being watched
Hannover 96 player Timo Hubers is in quarantine after being infected with the virus.
Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez will be quarantined when they return to the country ahead of their World Cup qualifier versus Colombia in early April.
Some of Arsenal players and staff have been forced to self-isolate after meeting Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has revealed he had contracted COVID-19.
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