Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for the COVID-19, the disease generated by the much-famed coronavirus. Rugani is the first player from a Serie A club to be infected, following the previous cases from Serie C teams Pianese and Reggio Audace.
Juventus issued a statement, noting that “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 contacts with him.”
All teams faced by Juventus in the past weeks were notified. Rugani played against Brescia on February 16 and against SPAL on February 22. He was on the bench during Juve’s Champions League game against Lyon on February 26, as well as during the recent Derby d’Italia which the Bianconeri won over Inter.
Inter also issued a statement, which reads as follows:
“FC Internazionale Milano announces that, following the Juventus FC statement regarding the positivity of player Daniele Rugani for COVID-19, all competitive activities are suspended until further notice. The club is taking steps to undertake all the necessary procedures.”
The Nerazzurri basically announced that their players and staff will likely need to undergo quarantine, casting further doubts on the prosecution of the football season, both domestically and internationally.