COVID-19: La Liga suspended; Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Chelsea isolating, Arteta positive

La Liga, the Spanish top-flight football league, has announced it will be suspending its season in light of recent coronavirus (COVID-19)-related developments in the football world.

The decision came in Wednesday, a few days after it was confirmed Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, 52, has the virus.

Immediately, football clubs that had contact or interacted with Marinakis, as well as broadcasters and other in-stadium workers, had to check themselves or self-isolate.

On Thursday, Real Madrid’s football and basketball teams have undergone quarantine, as one basketball player tested positive for the virus.

Also on Thursday, it was announced by Arsenal that club manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus.

Marinakis was watching Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium a week ago. The news placed Arsenal in self-isolation.

Personnel who have had recent close contact with Arteta shall also self-isolate in line with government health guidelines.

Arsenal’s Premier league matches against Manchester City and Brighton have both been postponed since.

Another football star, Callum Hudson-Odoi, has contracted COVID-19 according to Chelsea FC.

Chelsea FC released in a statement that all men’s players shall be quarantined, while their team building will be closed for precaution.

La Liga will re-evaluate the situation once all mandatory precautions and practices are accomplished.