One Barcelona player amongst nine tested on Tuesday has been tested positive for the global virus, the La Liga club confirmed, saying that none of the players travelling to Lisbon, Portugal, for their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich have been in contact with him.
Barcelona, who finished second in La Liga this season, tested as many as nine players including the likes of Pedri, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes, Jean-Clair Todibo, Moussa Wague, Carles Alena, Rafinha, Juan Miranda and Oriol Busquets, and one amongst the lot - who has not been named - has returned positive.
Note that these nine players are not the part of the travelling Champions League squad. They are, rather, due to return to the club for pre-season training on Wednesday. The one, who has tested positive, 'is asymptomatic and is quarantining at home,' said the club.
"Following PCR tests conducted this Tuesday afternoon on the group of nine players due to begin the pre-season today, one of them has tested positive for the virus," read an official statement from the club.
"The player has no symptoms, is in good health and has been quarantined at his home. The club has reported the matter to the relevant sporting and health authorities.
"All persons who have been in contact with the player have been tracked to perform the corresponding PCR tests.
"The player has not been in contact with any of the senior team players who are scheduled to travel to Lisbon this Thursday to compete in the Champions League."
The news arrives days after two Atletico Madrid players - Ángel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko - tested positive for the disease. The team, however, resumed training as they prepare to face RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
As for Barcelona, their quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich in Portugal will go ahead as scheduled. The players, however, will undergo regular testing.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lluis Gene
