Bundesliga side FC Köln have confirmed that three people at the club have tested positive for coronavirus, weeks after German sides returned to group training.
The Bundesliga has been tipped to return in the near future, although the target date has since been pushed back beyond 9 May.
However, that may now be completely up in the air as Köln took to their official website to confirm that three members of the playing squad and coaching staff have tested positive for the virus following tests on Thursday.
“1. FC Köln had the entire team and coaching staff, along with the backroom staff, tested on Thursday for COVID-19,” they explained.
“Three people tested positive, all are symptom free. After an assessment of the cases by the responsible health authorities, the three people who tested positive will go into a 14-day quarantine at home. 1. FC Köln will not confirm any names out of respect for the privacy of those affected.
Germany has officially banned all public events until the end of August, so when the Bundesliga returns, it’ll be behind closed doors.
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“1. FC Köln’s training can continue as planned, according to the hygiene and infection control measures that have been in place since April 6th in group training. The prerequisite for this is that the relevant group of people are tested further, as stated for in the medical concept of the “Taskforce Sports Medicine/Special Game Operation” from the DFL.”
It raises questions over whether bringing football back is even possible at this point. The Bundesliga is pushing to return earlier than most, with teams having been training together for a number of weeks, so fresh diagnoses will pose a real problem.
“We now see in everyday life that our concept recognises and reduces risks at an early stage,” said club doctor Tim Meyer.
“We will always be in close contact with the responsible health authorities and medical experts. We are convinced that with our concept, we can enable players to practice their profession with the best possible protection against infection.”
Director Horst Heldt added: “The health and private sphere of players and staff have priority above all else. The previous measures, as well as the strategy of regular tests, have proven themselves so that we can now react with individual solutions.”
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