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Coronavirus: Juventus plan for larger training groups after negative COVID-19 tests

The Serie A champions have had players take part in individual sessions in small groups at Continassa this week, with strict social distancing measures enforced.

Under guidelines issued by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Juve carried out a new round of tests for the whole first team, all of which have come back negative.

"In the next few days, training will resume in larger groups," the club said in a statement.

Serie A clubs voted to have the season resume from June 13, but a government decree means no matches will be able to take place until at least after June 14.

A decision on if and when 2019-20 can get back under way is due to be made on May 28.

Juve were top of the table by a point from Lazio when the competition was suspended in March.

Star forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been back in training this week, having returned to Turin from his native Madeira.

Coronavirus: Juventus star Dybala confirms positive test for COVID-19

The Argentina forward is the third Bianconeri player to have a confirmed case of the virus following Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi.

Dybala posted on Instagram to confirm he and his girlfriend Oriana Sabatini – an Argentine singer, actress and model who is the niece of 1990 US Open champion Gabriela Sabatini – also have the illness but said they are in good condition.

"Hi everyone, I just wanted just to inform you that we have received the results for the COVID-19 test and both Oriana and I have tested positive," Dybala wrote.

"Luckily we are in perfect conditions. Thanks for your messages."

A Juve statement added: "Paulo Dybala has undergone medical tests that revealed a positive result for Coronavirus-COVID19. 

"He has been in voluntary home isolation since Wednesday 11 March. He will continue to be monitored, following the usual regime. He is well and is asymptomatic."

Sport across the world has been put on hold as governments attempt to contain the virus, which has resulted in the deaths of close to 13,000 people worldwide so far. Italy has 53,578 confirmed cases with 4,825 people having died.

It is unclear when Serie A, or the rest of Europe's major leagues, are to restart, with UEFA having already confirmed the postponement of Euro 2020 to next year.

Coronavirus: Juventus start fundraiser after Rugani diagnosis

Rugani said he was "fine" despite testing positive for the virus with Juve confirming on Thursday that 121 people connected to the club - including players and directors - are undergoing voluntary isolation.

The club's Champions League last-16 tie with Lyon has been postponed as European football continues to respond to the pandemic, which has killed over 1,000 people in Italy.

Juve donated €300,000, jointly given by the club and players, to begin the fundraising efforts, with money set to go to the 'Piedmont Region-Coronavirus emergency support' initiative.

Club chairman Agnelli asked fans in a video released via social media to donate to the fundraiser, which is hosted on the GoFundMe website.

"In this moment of a medical state of emergency, we too, as Juventus, want to make our contribution," Agnelli said. 

"First of all, by respecting the rules and asking everyone to do the same: stay home.

"Since yesterday, I too am observing a period of voluntary isolation, but we have to and want to do more. 

"And that's why, along with our players, we have launched a fundraising campaign to support our healthcare professionals in our neighbourhoods - in Turin and Piedmont. 

"And that's why we ask you to contribute. In this difficult time, despite being distant, let's stay united and all together. We will get out of this delicate moment."

Juve are not set to play again until next month with all sporting activity in Italy suspended until April 3.

Coronavirus: Juventus' Daniele Rugani tests positive

The reigning Serie A champions revealed on Wednesday Italy defender Rugani has contracted COVID-19 but is not displaying any symptoms.

A club statement read: "Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including the census of those who have had contact with him."

Rugani tested positive for the virus six days before Juve are scheduled to play Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

People who come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

No country outside China has been more heavily affected by the virus, which originated in Wuhan in December and was on Wednesday confirmed as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Italy has responded strongly to the outbreak, with the country placed on lockdown by its government and suspending all domestic sport until April 3.

According to the WHO, Italy has 10,149 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has seen 631 deaths as a result.

Coronavirus: Juventus' Rugani feels 'lucky' after COVID-19 diagnosis

Rugani tested positive for COVID-19 last week – one of the key events in prompting a near-total shutdown of elite football across Europe.

Serie A is suspended until April 3 and a UEFA video conference on Tuesday will see clubs and national associations discuss how best to proceed with the Champions League, Europa League, Euro 2020 and domestic competitions amid the ongoing crisis.

In an interview with Juventus' in-house television channel, Rugani reported he had not suffered severe symptoms – such as respiratory problems – associated with the most serious cases of COVID-19.

"I want to reassure everyone by saying that I am fine," he said. "I have always been quite well. I have not had the serious symptoms mentioned.

"I consider myself lucky even if it was a heavy blow also because I was the first in our environment [and] served to raise the awareness of all those who had not understood the seriousness of the problem."

Rugani revealed he had been passing his time in isolation by watching drama series Peaky Blinders and reading the Harry Potter novels to improve his English, although he conceded being forced to spend time apart from his family was tough.

Asked what he had missed most from everyday life, the 25-year-old replied: "Embracing my loved ones.

"I am alone in the hotel and I will have to stay a little longer. The isolation is long and boring, for me as for everyone, so as soon as I go out, I will go to the people I miss and love."

Italy is the European country most affected by coronavirus, with 24,747 confirmed cases and 1,809 deaths.

The government has imposed strict lockdown measures, with public events and gatherings banned and all shops apart from food stores and pharmacies closed.

Coronavirus: Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto hopes Serie A resumes in early June

Serie A was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Lazio sitting sitting second and just a point behind Juventus.

It remains uncertain when, and if, the season will resume, but Luis Alberto hopes it can get back underway in June.

"Now we believe in the Scudetto. We are there and we cannot deny being in the running to win it," he told Onda Cero via Instagram.

"I think we can start playing in early June, but it is difficult to give an exact date. It depends on the evolution of the virus.

"Hopefully everything will be done as soon as possible. I want to finish the championship. It would be right both for us who are at the top of the standings and for those who are fighting not to be relegated. And I am not saying this because we are in second place."

Luis Alberto, the former Liverpool midfielder, has impressed for Lazio since arriving in 2016.

He has been linked with a return to boyhood club Sevilla, but Luis Alberto said he would be renewing his contract with Lazio.

"I have always said that Sevilla is my home and that I would like to return," he said.

"But now my future is in white and blue. We are well under way for the renewal, I believe it will come soon."

Coronavirus: Maldini expects to recover 'within a week'

Former Italy great Maldini, who now works for the Rossoneri as technical director, tested positive for COVID-19 along with his 18-year-old son Daniel, a current Milan player.

A club statement issued on Saturday revealed both men had completed two weeks in isolation at home and that they would remain in quarantine until clinically recovered, in line with medical protocols in Italy.

Paolo Maldini posted a video on his Instagram account to thank well-wishers and was optimistic about himself and his son achieving a full recovery in the near future.

"With this video I wanted to thank all those people who expressed on social media their love and concern for my and my son's health,” he said.

"We're fine. We should be able to get rid of this virus within a week. Thanks for your continuing affection.

"I wanted to thank all those doctors, nurses, health workers, civil protection and law enforcement officers who are facing this emergency with the utmost professionalism and enormous courage.

"Once again, you make us feel proud of being Italian. Thanks again."

Italy is the country most severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with a death toll now in excess of 6,000.

Coronavirus: Matuidi tells Juve team-mate Dybala to 'keep shining bright' after positive test

It was confirmed on Saturday that Argentina forward Dybala is the third Juve player after Matuidi and Daniele Rugani to contract COVID-19.

Dybala said he and his girlfriend Oriana Sabatini have tested positive but both were in good condition.

Matuidi took to Twitter on Sunday to offer a message to Dybala.

"Keep shining bright like a joya hermano [roughly translated as jewel brother]," he posted.

Serie A remains on lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, with Juve top of the table.

Italy has been the worst-affected nation in terms of deaths, with 4,825 having died.

Coronavirus: Milan chief Gazidis says Italian clubs must prove their value during crisis

Italy has suffered more deaths than any other country, with over 15,000 lives lost so far and close to 130,000 confirmed cases.

Sport in the country is on hold, as part of the lockdown enforcement, and football might not resume for many months to come.

Gazidis addressed Milan supporters from his home on Sunday, speaking of "this tragedy that has hit all of us" and praising doctors and nurses, police, public transport officials and supermarket workers who risk exposure.

Gazidis said Milan's players and staff would only return to work "once things are safe", and noted club officials were working to "provide meaningful assistance" to the community.

He expressed the hope Milan could become "stronger than ever" after the COVID-19 global disaster, also promising the Rossoneri would "not forget the heroes of these times" when sport resumes.

Gazidis said Milan would, as a club, recover "in a healthy and strong way and we will do so on solid foundations".

"Football is a source of joy, which is very important," he said. "We will do our part in rebuilding hope and joy, the pride and solidarity when we overcome this terrible moment.

"Clubs are not just companies that play football, they have a role in the community and represent values without which football would be nothing.

"We will be remembered for how we behave in these days, we want you to feel that AC Milan is beside you, we want to make you proud."

He added: "Let us stay united in these difficult moments and we will be an even more tightly knit team, once we've overcome this crisis. More human, more united, stronger than ever."

Coronavirus: Milan confirm zero positive tests for COVID-19

There had been some confusion over the prospect of more cases of coronavirus at the Serie A club following comments from president Paolo Scaroni, who referred to "some infected players on the mend".

The remark led to some concern about unknown cases at the club, with technical director Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel having returned the only confirmed positive tests in March.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the club said: "AC Milan confirms that, based on all medical tests carried out to date on first-team players and technical staff, there have not been any positive cases of COVID-19.

"Players will continue their individual training program at Milanello and medical screenings will be completed for all players and staff reporting for training over the coming days."

Milan players resumed individual training on Friday at Milanello, two months on from the strict lockdown measures introduced in northern Italy, with group sessions reportedly to be allowed from May 18.

The Serie A season remains suspended but clubs are committed to completing the 2019-20 campaign rather than bring it to a premature end, as has happened in France and the Netherlands.

Milan were seventh in the standings when the competition was halted.

Coronavirus: Milan donate €250,000 to emergency support effort

The coronavirus outbreak has crippled the nation, with Serie A and all sporting events suspended until April 3 following the Italian National Olympic Committee's (CONI) decision on Monday.

It comes after a significant increase in cases, with a total of 9,172 people infected as of Monday in Italy.

Milan – following in the footsteps of neighbours Inter's €100,000 donation – and Fondazione Milan have jointly donated to the response efforts of AREU (Azienda Regionale Emergenza Urgenza), the emergency arm of the Lombardy region's government.

"There are things in life more important than football," Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis said in a statement. "At a time when all of us need to take care of the most vulnerable amongst us, we must all act with the utmost responsibility and listen to the advice of the relevant authorities.

"On behalf of the club, I am proud to support the incredible efforts of our region's emergency response teams with this donation. The health and safety of our loved ones is our highest priority. We understand that our fans are going through an extremely difficult time.

"We are all worried about those nearest and dearest to us and about the implications for the future. Milan is more than a football club. It is a community of people who care for each other and we also represent the great city of Milano around the world.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Milanisti. We have already announced that we will reimburse all those who have shown their love for the club by issuing refunds to any games cancelled or postponed and we will be taking further steps to support our fans through these difficult times as they have always supported us."

Globally, there have been 114,458 coronavirus cases with 4,027 deaths.

More than 3,100 people have died in China, while over 400 people have succumbed to the virus in Italy.

Coronavirus: Milan's emergency fundraiser reaches €500,000 goal

The Serie A club set up a GoFundMe page with local charity Fondazione Milan with the aim of gathering support for the Azienda Regionale Emergenza Urgenza (AREU), the emergency arm for the government in the Lombardy region.

Italy has been one of the worst-affected nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 115,000 confirmed cases and over 13,500 deaths related to the virus.

Only the United States and Spain have had more confirmed positive tests during the global health crisis.

Milan and Fondazione Milan got the ball rolling with an initial donation of €250,000, which paid for six AREU medical cars, before asking others to pledge to the cause as they set a €500,000 target.

With over 1,000 donors, they reached that goal on Friday.

Juventus began a similar initiative two days after Milan, with the club and players making an opening contribution of €300,000 towards a €1million aim.

As of Friday, Juve's fundraiser has amassed a total of almost €457,000 in donations.

Italy's football season has been suspended indefinitely due to coronavirus, with prime minister Giuseppe Conte banning clubs from returning to training before April 13 at the earliest.

Coronavirus: Most vulnerable clubs and leagues must be protected – AIC

COVID-19 has brought sport to a standstill across the world, with Italy the hardest hit and still in lockdown to try to combat the spread of the virus.

There have been over 11,500 deaths in Italy, and more than 101,700 confirmed cases.

Serie A – not played since March 9 – and all sport in the country have been postponed as officials debate whether to resume the 2019-20 campaign.

As financial concerns mount, the AIC released a statement which read: "The weekly meeting of the AIC board was held today [Monday] and, therefore, with the representatives and captains of Serie A.

"The moment is delicate and the recent comments by Minister Spadafora suggest close of business is still a few weeks away. With that in mind, and in light of the agreement between Juventus players and their club, the conclusion of the campaigns and timings were discussed.

"From Serie A to the non-leagues, the hope is, providing it's safe to do so, to complete the season, even if it exceeds June 30. The conditions for resuming footballing activity must take place under conditions of thorough medical supervision and respecting all the indications that will be provided by doctors and FMSI.

"In the unfortunate event of the season ending early, that scenario will certainly see us participate. That's why footballers know they have a part to play. In this sense, it was highlighted that needs differed between the various categories, but everyone agreed on the objective of protecting the positions of the categories most in difficulty.

"The non-league world, women's football and those with the lowest incomes in the professional leagues must be protected, also through the use of resources within the world of football and aid that may come from the general welfare system.

"The establishment of a welfare fund intended to support these precarious situations must involve all the parties involved. he players are already aware of this, but to date it's not known which part the other parties will want and have to play.

"The FIGC, the leagues, the international organisations - what will their contribution be to this cause? It'll be one of the topics in discussions, which have already been going on for a few weeks now, and this must be our primary objective, with everyone playing their part."

Coronavirus: My fever reached 39 degrees – Fiorentina's Vlahovic lifts lid on diagnosis

Vlahovic was the first Fiorentina player to test positive for COVID-19 on Friday, with team-mates Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella the other confirmed cases.

Outside of China, Italy has been the hardest hit by the virus, with more than 1,400 deaths from at least 21,100 cases.

The global pandemic has forced the postponement of all sport, including Serie A, until April 3 in Italy, where the country is in lockdown with all shops except food stores and pharmacies closing.

Fiorentina forward Vlahovic shared his experience via social media as the virus continues to disrupt sport around the world.

"I was at home, asleep and I just woke up covered in sweat with a fever," the 20-year-old said during his Instagram live stream.

"I measured my temperature and it was about 37 degrees, so I took some medicine and called the club. My fever got worse and by the evening it was at 39, so I went to hospital. I didn't think it was that bad… In any case, I am ok and resting.

"All I can do now is rest and in 14 days it'll be over. I just have to stay away from people. I haven't seen any of my team-mates, but I think they're doing alright."

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was the first Serie A player to test positive for COVID-19, while Manolo Gabbiadini is among a number of Sampdoria players to contract the virus.

Globally, there have been at least 156,000 cases and more than 5,800 deaths from coronavirus.

Coronavirus: Napoli postpone return to training amid COVID-19 emergency

Serie A side Napoli were planning to resume training on Wednesday, despite being warned it would be dangerous with Italy in lockdown due to COVID-19.

But with more than 6,000 deaths in Italy, Napoli have delayed their training comeback amid Serie A's hiatus.

"Napoli announces that sporting activity has been suspended until further notice," the club tweeted.

"The date when training will be resumed will be established in due course depending on the evolution of the COVID-19 emergency situation."

Globally, there have been over 378,300 cases and at least 16,490 deaths.

 

Coronavirus: Napoli to ignore warning of 'dangerous' training return

There has been no sport in Italy since March 9 as a result of the spread of COVID-19.

The virus has killed 4,032 in the country, more than any other nation, with the north particularly hard hit. 

Damiano Tommasi, president of the Italian Players' Union (AIC), stated it would be dangerous for players to return to work with a lockdown still imposed.

Yet Cagliari will train with players split into groups on Monday and Napoli will be back on the training field two days later. 

"SSC Napoli announces that the team will resume training at the Technical Center on Wednesday 25 March with a morning session." the club stated on Friday.

Lazio are also reportedly preparing to train next week.

Coronavirus: Not finishing Serie A season would start 'series of disputes' – FIGC chief Gravina

Serie A was suspended indefinitely in March, after some matches were played behind closed doors, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The FIGC said the top flight will not begin again until the health and safety of those involved can be guaranteed and an extension by the Italian government on strict restrictions on movement and outdoor activities until May 3 makes a swift resumption unlikely.

Reports in Italy have suggested some clubs are keen to return to training at that time and resume playing by the end of May.

Gravina reiterated his stance that the campaign must be finished in full, especially given reports FIFA has agreed to extend 2019-20 indefinitely to allow domestic leagues time to complete the season.

"A definite stop would start a series of disputes. There are already some warnings from some clubs on my table," he told La Repubblica.

"FIFA has paved the way. The new season will not begin without having concluded the first. We don't have a deadline to start again; we will go hand in hand with the other European Leagues.

"If they let us play in early June, we have the dates to end at the end of July."

Gravina added that for now the plan is working out the logistics for how football can resume in Italy.

"I respect science, but I can't give up. We work on how to get back to playing, not on when," he added.

"When Italy comes back to life and when there will be the right conditions for other sectors to resume, football will also return.

"I say it once and for all: the championship must be completed. There's time. The government, league, FIGC, doctors – we will all decide together responsibly.

"Our entire system would benefit from us restarting."

Coronavirus: Paolo and Daniel Maldini test positive

Italy has been in lockdown for almost two weeks as its government attempt to contain the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of 4,825 people in the country.

Sport across the world has been put on hold, with Serie A suspended until at least April and UEFA having postponed Euro 2020 until next year.

On Saturday, Juventus star Paulo Dybala confirmed he and his girlfriend had been diagnosed with COVID-19, though he added they were both in good condition.

Dybala is the third Juve player to test positive after Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi and Milan have now confirmed club legend Maldini – the club's technical director – had tested positive, along with his son Daniel, who made his first-team debut for the Rossoneri in February.

"Milan confirms that Paolo Maldini, the club's technical director, became aware of contact with a person who subsequently tested positive for coronavirus and began to display symptoms of the virus himself," a club statement said.

"He was administered with a swab test yesterday, the result of which was positive. His son Daniel, a forward in Milan's youth team who had previously been training with the first team, also tested positive.

"Paolo and Daniel are both well and have already completed two weeks at home without contact with others.

"They will now remain in quarantine until clinically recovered, as per the medical protocols outlined by the health authorities."

Coronavirus: Parma quarantine two players ahead of return to team training

In a statement released on their website, Parma revealed they had tested roughly 60 people at the club, including players and technical staff, ahead of a return to group training on Monday.

Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte gave the green light earlier on Saturday for clubs to resume team training after this weekend, but the duo at Parma will have to continue solitary work after test results came back positive.

The statement read: "At the end of the tests, all the members of the team group tested negative for the two swabs for COVID-19 carried out within 24 hours, except for two players who tested positive for the first swab and negative for the second.

"The players are both in excellent physical and asymptomatic conditions, however, they were placed in immediate isolation and the club will keep them constantly monitored."

Serie A has been out of action since Sassuolo's 3-0 win over Brescia on March 9 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) are yet to agree on medical protocols set by the government for the competition's return.

The health department wants entire teams to be quarantined for 14 days if a player tests positive, while clubs and the league believe such measures would make a restart impractical and favour a scenario where only the individual in question is isolated.

A June 13 resumption has been suggested, with inter-regional movement to remain limited until June 3.

Coronavirus: Player wages should not fall after pandemic, says Bale's agent

Barnett, whose clients include Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, feels players should not be the ones to pay the price for falling revenues after the COVID-19 crisis.

The future values of sponsorships, matchday income and television deals are uncertain after the global lockdown halted all top-level sport.

But Barnett thinks players, who have short careers, are the star attractions needed to ensure football retains top billing.

"I don't see players' wages dropping, that is for sure," he told BBC Radio 4.

"Most players are on contracts. What I do see is maybe clubs have to look at how they run their club a bit better.

"Fans come to see players play, no one comes to see the chief executive play, that [players] is what puts money on the table.

"It's not a question of players earning less because it is a short period of time to earn their money."

Barnett was asked if the days of huge transfer fees are over and while he acknowledged there would be an initial drop, he felt it was unlikely to last.

"I think in the short term [there will be a drop], but not in the long term," he said. "They [the huge transfers] will come back. Market values will come back." 

On the approach clubs should take, Barnett added: "You have just got to look at it sensibly and say, 'This year I can't afford to pay so I won't do it this year'.

"Act sensibly and pay what they can afford to pay. If they can't [afford to buy], they don't. Nobody is going to be forcing them. 

"They can offer for a player whatever money they can afford. If it is right for the player, it's fine. If not, then he stays where he is or goes somewhere else.

"After the next television deal they [clubs] will hopefully be in a better position, or once the fans start coming back they might be in a better position again to do it. 

"[Then] their sponsorships go up and all these things come back."