Two individuals in the Atletico Madrid first team have tested positive for Coronavirus ahead of the club’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig.
The Rojiblancos are set to face the German side in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in Lisbon on Thursday.
Having taken COVID-19 tests ahead of their journey, the results came out positive for two members of the team.
“Yesterday, [on] Saturday 8 August, all members of the first team and the club’s traveling party [set to head] to Lisbon underwent PCR tests at the Ciudad Deportiva de Majadahonda as required by UEFA protocol, [in order] to participate in the quarterfinals of the Champions League,” a statement from the club said.
New "Two Athletico Madrid players test positive for COVID-19.". https://t.co/6TjBr6FKhD pic.twitter.com/yuA7XFpv4X
— The Intensified Report (@TheIntensifiedR) August 9, 2020
“Among the results known today, two positives have appeared. Both individuals are isolated in their respective homes, and their results were immediately communicated to the Spanish and Portuguese health authorities, UEFA, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Portuguese Federation and the Higher Sports Council.
“The corresponding action protocol foreseen for these cases has been activated, which requires new PCR tests to be carried out on the first team and members of the expedition to Lisbon and the closest contacts of the positive cases.”
The Spanish club said their training scheduled and travel plans are likely to be affected by the turn of events.
Atletico Madrid also pledged to coordinate with UEFA on the way forward and pleaded for preservation of identity of the infected persons.
“These tests will result in changes to training schedules, and in the structure and development of travel and accommodation in the Portuguese capital.
“The club will coordinate the new schedules with UEFA and as soon as there is a new plan, it will be made public. We request the utmost respect for the preservation of the identity of the two positive cases,” the statement added.
