July 29 – Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz has tested positive for Covid-19, but UEFA says it is confident Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 second leg clash at Manchester City will go ahead as planned next week.
News that Diaz, a squad player for Real, had contracted the virus heightened concerns amid the UK government’s controversial announcement at the weekend that anyone arriving from Spain would have to quarantine for 14 days. Real Madrid have been granted special dispensation to those rules.
In a statement Real Madrid said: “After the Covid-19 tests carried out individually on our first team yesterday by the Real Madrid medical services, our player Mariano has given a positive result. The player is in perfect health and complying with the sanitary isolation protocol at home.”
Diaz posted his own update on social media saying: “I appreciate your messages of support. I am perfectly well, thank God my family and my environment are also great. Now I am recovering at home and I hope to return to normal soon and be able to be with my teammates and team. Greetings to all.”
However he won’t be joining them for Madrid’s Champions League return leg against Manchester City on August 7.
A UEFA statement said: “UEFA is in contact with the club and monitoring both the situation and decisions of the relevant Spanish authorities. We are confident that this case will not affect the regular staging of the match in question.”
Zidane’s team trail Man City club 2-1 after the first leg and will travel to the Etihad Stadium with renewed confidence after winning the Spanish title.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735226319labto1735226319ofdlr1735226319owedi1735226319sni@o1735226319fni1735226319