25-year-old defender, Daniele Rugani, who plays for Italy and Juventus, has been tested positive for the COVID-19. The defending Italian club football champions confirmed the news on Wednesday.
Sky Italia journalist, Fabrizio Romano, was the first to release the news on Twitter.
Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has been found POSITIVE to Coronavirus 🔴
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 11, 2020
Following the devastating news, Rugani took to his twitter account to pacify concerned football fans.
Avrete letto la notizia e per questo ci tengo a tranquillizzare tutti coloro che si stanno preoccupando per me, sto bene.
Invito tutti a rispettare le regole, perché questo virus non fa distinzioni! Facciamolo per noi stessi, per i nostri cari e per chi ci circonda.#grazie pic.twitter.com/1QqewIKjie— Daniele Rugani (@DanieleRugani) March 12, 2020
The text translates to this:
You’ve read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who’s worried about me, I’m fine. I urge everyone to respect the rules because this virus makes no distinction! Let’s do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us.
On 9th March, Juventus hosted Inter Milan in Derby d’Italia.
Rugani, who was on the bench, posted a picture of himself celebrating the 2-0 win with the team in the locker room. Ronaldo can be seen celebrating the win as well in the picture below.
3 punti 2 gol e 1 sorriso in un momento complicato. Noi siamo questi💪#ForzaJuve⚪⚫ #JuveInter pic.twitter.com/qBPpql5Sa3
— Daniele Rugani (@DanieleRugani) March 8, 2020
After confirmation of Coronavirus in Rugani, Juventus management has enforced all necessary measures. Each member of the team and staff will now undergo tests for the virus.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in his hometown, Madeira, to look after his mother after she suffered a stroke last week, has communicated to Juventus’s management that he is now in self-quarantine and will not be returning to Italy anytime soon.
Cristiano Ronaldo has told Juventus that he won’t come back from Portugal after teammate Daniele Rugani tested positive for Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/tYpeeVGVTJ
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 12, 2020
Meanwhile, Inter Milan’s Europa League game, originally scheduled for today, has also been postponed over fears of the virus.
On 10th March, the Italian government finally suspended the Italian football league, Serie A. Before 10th March, football games in Italy were being played behind closed doors.
OFFICIAL: Serie A has been suspended. #SerieA #Coronavirus
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 9, 2020
COVID-19 has so far killed 827 and infected 12,462 people in Italy.
