Arsenal clash at Brighton WILL go ahead as planned despite stars in quarantine over coronavirus and not in training
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ARSENAL'S match at Brighton will go ahead as planned despite Gunners stars currently being in quarantine over coronavirus fears.
The Gunners saw their clash at Manchester City scrapped in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The postponement - for the second time after City's involvement in the Carabao Cup final - came after Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis tested positive for the virus after visiting the Emirates.
It is not known whether Marinakis was contagious during the visit as he met players and personnel but he is now self-isolating to prevent the virus spreading further.
A number of Arsenal players and staff will remain at their homes until the 14-day period is completed and so are set to return to training on Friday.
None of them are currently showing any symptoms of the virus - which has so far killed six in the UK.
And now Brighton have stated there are no plans to scrap the clash at the Amex on Saturday as of yet.
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The Seagulls said in a statement: "Arsenal’s match at Manchester City, due to take place at the Etihad Stadium tonight, has been postponed after a number of Gunners players have self isolated as a precaution with regard to the coronavirus.
"The risk is considered extremely low and Saturday’s match remains scheduled to go ahead with the self-isolation period for those players ending tomorrow, as we continue to follow government and medical advice with regard to the coronavirus.
"Those players, and a small number of staff, took the measure as they met with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis on Thursday 27th February at the Europa League tie between the clubs at the Emirates. Mr Marinakis confirmed yesterday he has tested positive for the virus."
Arsenal released a statement of their own which read: "The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing Covid-19 at extremely low.
“However, we are strictly following the government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact.
“The players will remain at their homes until the 14-day period expires. Four Arsenal staff — who were sitting close to Mr Marinakis during the match — will also remain at home until the 14 days are complete.
"Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Mr Marinakis a swift recovery and we look forward to the players and staff returning to work on Friday in preparation for our match at Brighton."
Greek shipping magnate Marinakis, 52, sparked panic across English football yesterday when he revealed he had contracted the Covid-19 virus.
He wrote on Instagram: "The recent virus has 'visited' me and I felt obliged to let the public know.
"I feel good as I take all the necessary measures and discipline to the doctors'instructions. I wish all a quick recovery."
Forest’s squad were ordered to undergo coronavirus tests as Marinakis met them after Friday’s home defeat to Millwall.
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Matches in Italy, Japan, Switzerland and China have already been cancelled while there will be no fans at various matches in Spain, France and Germany.
Wolves' Europa League clash at Olympiacos is still due to go ahead tomorrow but boss Nuno Espirito Santo is not happy and will refuse to conduct the required media commitments.
Elsewhere, Six Nations matches, the Indian Wells tennis tournament, the Chinese Grand Prix, the World Indoor Athletics Championships and the UAE cycling tour have all been scrapped.
⚠️ Read our Coronavirus in Sport live blog for the latest news, updates and cancellations
