Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has announced on Instagram that he has contracted Coronavirus – he reportedly met the Forest squad on Friday.
Nottingham Forest Owner Met With Players Day Before Contracting Coronavirus
Met Players on Friday
Forest majority owner Evangelos Marinakis has shared a post on Instagram declaring that he was “visited” by Coronavirus.
Sharing a post in his native Greek, and an English translation, the Greek businessman said: “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 I discipline to the doctors’ instructions.
“I strongly advice [sic] all my fellow citizens to do the same. I wish all a quick recovery.”
According to Daniel Storey of the Independent, Marinakis met the Forest squad on Friday meaning the virus could have potentially been passed on to numerous players, coaching staff and club officials.
Forest hosted Millwall in a 3-0 defeat in the Championship at the City Ground with a crowd of over 27,000.
Sabri Lamouchi’s side are due to travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
However, no official statement has been made by the football club.
Update: I’m told that Marinakis met the Nottingham Forest squad on Friday. Dear me.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) March 10, 2020
A Threat to Wider Football
Away from Forest, Marinakis is also owner of Olympiacos.
The Athens club are due to host Premier League outfit Wolves in the Europa League on Thursday.
Greek authorities have ruled that the tie will be played behind closed doors with a temporary ban on spectators attending sporting events already in action; however, the game could be in risk of not going ahead as the Athens-based side’s players and staff are visiting hospital to have tests for the virus.
In addition, Marinakis will not be able to attend football matches for two weeks as part of the government’s advice.
The next Forest game he will be able to attend is their trip to Derby County on April 4.
Coronavirus Football Update
Marinakis contracting the virus is the latest episode in a series of Coronavirus affecting football.
Earlier today (Tuesday, March 10), all Serie A matches in Italy were suspended due to fears about the virus.
The FA have already declared a temporary suspension of the ‘Fair Play’ handshakes that occur before kick-offs across the county.
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