Stephen Pearce, the Derby County Chief Executive, has tested positive for coronavirus, as reported by John Percy of The Telegraph.
Derby County Chief Executive Tests Positive for COVID-19
On a day when the English Football League approved a takeover of Derby County, things looked rosy for the East Midlands club. Whilst that deal is in motion, there is now news of a more sombre nature for Derby County fans to digest.
Chief Executive Stephen Pearce has tested positive for COVID-19 and must now self isolate for 14 days. If that wasn’t bad enough, he is not the only person who will now need to self isolate. Earlier in that day on November 5, Pearce had held meetings with manager Philip Cocu and chairman Mel Morris. Both men must also now self isolate for 14 days.
COVID-19 Impacting Derby County
In October, player-coach Wayne Rooney also had to self isolate after coming into contact with a friend who tested positive for the virus. Rooney subsequently missed three games in which Derby lost once and drew two. As a result, they found themselves in the bottom three of the Championship. The latest news adds more turmoil for Derby as they try to find some form and climb up the League.
Official Club Statement
Derby County released an official statement via the club website confirming the positive test for Pearce and also that Morris and Cocu must also self isolate:
“As a result of individual meetings with Executive Chairman Mel Morris CBE and Manager Phillip Cocu over the course of today, they must also take part in a period of self-isolation, for 14-days, under UK Government and club protocol.”
Cocu will now miss the November 7 Championship match at home to Barnsley. Chris Van Der Weerden, Cocu’s assistant manager, and Shay Given will take charge for the game along with support from Wayne Rooney.
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