Argentine Coach Jorge Sampaoli and his coaching team at Brazilian Atlético Mineiro test positive for COVID-19
"The tests were positive for the entire coaching staff of Jorge Sampaoli, including the coach," the team said in a statement.
"All those who tested positive are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and are already properly isolated," they added.
The former Chile and Argentina coach, 60, and five members of his coaching staff, as well as defender Gabriel (the only affected player) and two other club officials, tested positive for the new coronavirus after routine tests carried out on Monday.
Outside of Brazil, Ecuadorian Alan Franco joins the team as a casualty. The midfielder also tested positive for coronavirus after the game played with the Ecuadorian national team in Bolivia, for the third round of World Cup qualifiers.
Official note - Medical department
Atlético informs that, in the testing carried out this Monday (16), several members of the coaching staff tested positive for Covid-19. Among the players, only Gabriel tested positive: https://t.co/XnK9DxkbWB pic.twitter.com/E1CLCihuJI
- Atlético -- (@Atletico) November 17, 2020
Atlético, solitary leader of Brasileirao, will play against Athletico Panaraense on Wednesday in a postponed match of the Brazilian championship. The club has not yet specified who will manage the team.
Clubs in Brazil, the country with the second highest number of deaths from the pandemic (166,000 fatal victims), are experiencing a wave of infections from the new pneumonia.
Santos and Palmeiras have almost forty positive cases, among players, coaching staff, and officials. Both teams will play in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores next week against Liga de Quito and Delfín, respectively.
El Verdao reported on Tuesday the contamination of 15 players, including midfielder Gabriel Menino, who left the Brazilian national team concentration after the adverse result.
Meanwhile, Santos' coach, Alexi Stival "Cuca," was hospitalized for a week in a Sao Paulo clinic due to complications from COVID-19 and a history of heart problems.
The coach was discharged on Monday but will be out of the benches for at least ten days.
In September, the new coronavirus hit Flamengo hard, the reigning champion of Brazil and the Libertadores. (D)