Portuguese side Benfica has reported a mega outbreak of coronavirus at the club ahead of their League Cup tied against Braga on Wednesday.
A total of 17 people from the playing squad, coaching staff, and general staff tested positive and this figure includes club’s president Luis Filipe Vieira. The 71-year-old remains asymptomatic.
The club said in a statement that the national department of health would be consulted over whether they should play matches within the next two weeks in the interests of public safety and the health of players.
Benfica are due to play a League Cup semi-final against Braga on Wednesday and English side Arsenal in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie on February 18.
The Premier League also confirmed that 16 positive coronavirus cases were recorded in the latest week of testing.
The latest round marks a significant drop from the 36 positive cases recorded last week, following a season-high of 40 two weeks ago with recent outbreaks of the virus affecting Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City, and Fulham.
The League has postponed 6 matches so far this season due to the spike in coronavirus cases with the Aston Villa game at home to Everton on Sunday the latest match to be postponed because of the ongoing Covid-19 issues at Villa Park.
Covid works harder than the devil. I hope Benfica overcome in the end.