Atletico Madrid And Leipzig Quarter-Final Will Be 'Played As Normal' - UEFA
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Aug 10, 2020
UEFA on Monday said the Champions League quarter-final between Atletico Madrid and Leipzig is "planned to be played as scheduledÔÇØ on Thursday despite two positive tests for coronavirus at the Spanish club.
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Recall that Atletico had on Sunday reported that two individuals at the club had tested positive for coronavirus, just days before the match between them and German club Leipzig in Lisbon, where the UEFA said all eight quarter-finalists will gather.
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The club, however, did not say whether the positive tests concerned players, coaching staff or officials.
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Atletico said a fresh round of tests was being carried out on the squad and backroom staff on Monday.
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A spokesman for the UEFA said: "The match is planned to be played as scheduled. We have no further comments to make.ÔÇØ
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Atletico said in a statement on Sunday that the two individuals who tested positive "are self-isolating in their respective homesÔÇØ.
In an unprecedented move during a season that was halted for three months by the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA decided that the Champions League will be completed in a 'final eight' tournament in Lisbon.
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Under the UEFA protocol for European competitions, a team must have 13 healthy players, including a goalkeeper, for a match to go ahead. Failing that, UEFA can give the go-ahead for the match to be re-scheduled.
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The quarter-finals start on Wednesday when Italian side Atalanta take on Paris Saint-Germain. The final is scheduled to take place on August 23.
[The Street Journal/Vanguard]
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— Thompson Nsisongabasi