Real Madrid Coronavirus Quarantine Means Man City Champions League Tie Will Be Postponed

Manchester City’s Champions League last-16 second-leg meeting Real Madrid is likely to be postponed after the side from the Spanish capital were placed in quarantine due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

A member of Real Madrid Baloncesto, Real Madrid’s basketball team, tested positive for coronavirus, and players from the football team with whom they share facilities at the Valdebebas training centre have also been told to self-isolate as a result.

City were due to play Real at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg, but the game looks to be the latest of the club’s fixtures to be postponed.

An official statement from Real Madrid, released on Thursday, reads:

“Real Madrid CF reports that a player from our first basketball team has tested positive after testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“Since then, the recommendation has been made to quarantine both the basketball first team and the football first team, given that the two squads share facilities in Ciudad Real Madrid.

“Likewise, it has been decided to close the facilities of our sports city and it is also recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who provide their services in Real Madrid City remain in quarantine.

“The matches that were scheduled for today and tomorrow, corresponding to the Euroleague basketball and LaLiga soccer, will not be played.”

City were due to play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on March 11, but this fixture was postponed when Olympiakos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, contracted the virus and attended his side’s Europa League game at Arsenal February 27.

City’s meeting with Burnley this weekend is expected to go ahead, but could be played behind closed doors according to a report in the Times, though this has not yet been confirmed.

Back in Spain, Real Madrid players will be in quarantine for 15 days, and La Liga games have been postponed for two weeks as a result.

“Given the circumstances known this morning, referring to the quarantine established at Real Madrid and the potential positives from players from other clubs.

“La Liga consider that the circumstances are already in place to continue with the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID- 19.

“Consequently, in accordance with the measures established in Royal Decree 664/1997 of May 12, (La Liga) agree to suspend at least the next two games.”

Given Real’s situation, it is only a matter of time before UEFA announce that the game against Manchester City will need to be postponed.