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Reuters
Reuters
Health

Juve stop under-23 training after opponents diagnosed with coronavirus

Juventus Football Club scarf is attached to a no entry sign outside the Allianz Stadium, after five Serie A matches were postponed because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, in Turin, Italy, February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Juventus suspended the activities of their under-23 team on Saturday after a fourth player at third tier club Pianese, their most recent opponents, tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Turin club, whose under-23 team play in Serie C, said it was a precautionary measure and they were in constant contact with health authorities.

"It is specified that, six days after the game, the Juventus players remain asymptomatic and are under medical supervision," added the club statement.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 32 Second Leg - Inter Milan v Ludogorets - San Siro, Milan, Italy - February 27, 2020 General view of an empty stadium before the match after fans were not allowed in over coronavirus fears Emilio Andreoli/Pool via Reuters/File Photo

Gazetta dello Sport said the players had been quarantined in their homes, though this was not mentioned by Juventus. Their under-23 side beat Pianese 1-0 last Sunday.

Earlier, Pianese said that "after a series of checks, Pianese announce that a fourth player is infected by Covid-19. He too is in solitary confinement at home and is under observation by the relevant authorities."

One member of staff has also been infected and the club, based in Piancastagnaio in the region of Tuscany, said on Friday that the entire squad have been quarantined in their homes.

A man wearing a face mask is seen outside the Allianz Stadium, after five Serie A matches were postponed because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, in Turin, Italy, February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

The club said the first player tested positive on Thursday, several days after he missed a match because he was feeling slightly feverish.

The number of deaths in Italy from the illness rose to 29 on Saturday and the accumulated total of cases reached 1,128, authorities said.

Twenty of the 30 Serie C matches this weekend have been postponed because of the virus. Five Serie A games have also been called off.

Boys look at the Allianz Stadium, after five Serie A matches were postponed because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, in Turin, Italy, February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Massimo Pinca
The closed doors of the Allianz Stadium are seen, after five Serie A matches were postponed because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, in Turin, Italy, February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

(Reporting by Brian Homewood, editing by Ed Osmond and Tony Lawrence)

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