Marouane Fellaini has been diagnosed with coronavirus following his return to China, the Belgian’s Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng announced on Sunday.
Fellaini, who joined Shandong last January from Manchester United, returned to the country on Friday to join up with his club and tested positive for the coronavirus.
The former Belgium international did not have a fever and was asymptomatic, the club said, and has now been placed in quarantine.
Chinese football has been hit hard by the outbreak, with the start of the Chinese Super League pushed back indefinitely from its intended February 22 start date.
Fellaini, however, is the first player in the country’s top flight to have returned a positive test for the virus.
Brazilian striker Dori, who plays for second division side Meizhou Hakka, was confirmed as having the virus last week while Spain-based China international Wu Lei said he was recovering from the condition on Saturday.
Juventus Dybala tests positive
Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has announced that he and his girlfriend Oriana Sabatini have tested positive for coronavirus.
The 26-year-old Argentinian is the third Juve player to be confirmed with the illness, following on from Daniele Rugani last week and Blaise Matuidi on Tuesday.
In a brief statement posted to his social media pages, Dybala assured fans he remains in good condition, despite the confirmation of Covid-19.
He said, “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.
“Luckily we are in perfect conditions. Thanks for your messages.”
A Juventus 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.”
