Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy quarantined over coronavirus fears

Manchester City have confirmed that a first-team player is in quarantine over coronavirus fears.

The Premier League champions have refused to confirm the identity of the player, though Standard Sport understands it is defender Benjamin Mendy.

A member of Mendy's family is suffering symptoms of “a respiratory illness", with the France international having now been tested for Covid-19 and is currently in self-isolation.

In a statement a City spokesperson said: “The Club is aware that a family member of a Senior Men’s team player is in hospital with symptoms of a respiratory illness.

“He has undergone tests at hospital one of which is for Covid-19. Until the results are known, the player in question in self-isolating as a precaution.”

The news throws yet more doubt on the remainder of the football season after Juventus and Real Madrid went into quarantine in recent days.

The second leg of City’s Champions League last-16 tie with Real next week has already been postponed, with doubts over this summer’s European Championship.

City said earlier on Thursday: “The decision to postpone Tuesday’s game was made in conjunction with Uefa and follows confirmation that players from Real Madrid will self-isolate for fifteen days, after it emerged that a player from the club’s basketball team tested positive for COVID-19.

“The Club sends its best wishes to the players and staff at Real Madrid’s football and basketball teams.”

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Real confirmed earlier in the day that they were in quarantine following a confirmed case of coronavirus within their sister basketball team.

As the football team share the same facilities, they have been forced to follow guidelines in a bid to avoid the spread of the virus.

In a statement they said: “Real Madrid C. F. announces that a member of our basketball first team has tested positive for coronavirus.

“The recommendation of remaining in quarantine has been followed with immediate effect, with this measure applied to both the basketball and football first teams, given that the two squads share the facilities at Real Madrid City.

“In addition, a decision has been made to close our training ground and it is recommended that all Real Madrid staff who work at Real Madrid City remain in quarantine.

“The EuroLeague basketball match and the LaLiga football fixture scheduled for today and tomorrow will not be played.”

Boris Johnson has said sporting events will continue to go ahead in the UK despite a number countries across Europe ordering games to be played behind closed doors.

Pep Guardiola insisted this week football must be suspended instead of playing behind closed doors, telling reporters: “If it’s a short time, one game, then okay. But if it’s longer it must be suspended.

“There is no reason to play without the people. This is for the people. It’s like an actor going to the theatre when nobody is there. Who are you acting for that night? It’s for the people.”

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