It was an unexpected and not frankly desirable guest who invited himself to the table of world football. The coronavirus is causing damage and, by necessity, causing the cancellation of many sports competitions across the globe. On the football side, it started with the postponement of the resumption of the Chinese championship (it was in China that the virus appeared and quickly spread), which was originally supposed to start on February 22. It also had an impact on the winter transfer window, as we told you.
More recently, it was South Korea that decided to postpone the resumption of its championship, the K-League. The second country most affected by the epidemic, South Korea was scheduled to resume championship on February 29. In Europe, it was Italy that was affected. With initial consequences for Serie A. This weekend, 4 matches were postponed (Inter-Sampdoria, Hellas Verone-Cagliari, Atalanta-Sassuolo, Torino-Parma) and fears weigh on the rest. Starting with the Europa League match between Inter Milan and Ludogorets scheduled for Thursday at 9 p.m.
Medical tests for Barça players
Lombardy is one of the affected regions, where sporting events have been canceled. Just like Veneto (Venice) or Piedmont (Turin). This will obviously not prevent Juventus Turin from moving to Lyon on Wednesday. However, another Serie A match has already been canceled due to the epidemic. It’s Udinese-Fiorentina, scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 29 at 6 p.m. And that could continue with Inter Milan-Juventus, the Italian derby, scheduled for Sunday March 1 at 8:45 p.m. According to the Italian press, the match could be played behind closed doors!
Another consequence of the expansion of the coronavirus in our transalpine neighbors, the precautions taken by the teams that go there. This is the case of FC Barcelona, which arrives in Naples on Monday in preparation for the knockout leg of the Champions League scheduled for Tuesday evening. according to ESPN, blaugranas players will be immediately watched upon arrival in Naples (a region spared so far). Body temperatures will be taken and each player showing signs of illness will be sent directly to the hospital for further testing!
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