The Premier League are due to hold an "emergency club meeting" on Friday in the wake of Mikel Arteta being diagnosed with coronavirus.
It had been declared earlier on Thursday that games would go ahead as usual, but the necessity for a meeting was felt in light of reports from Arsenal regarding Mikel Arteta's diagnosis.
Although what comes of the Premier League's meeting on Friday is uncertain, it is widely expected that an alternative stance will need to be taken in light of what has occurred at Arsenal and elsewhere.
"In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19," their statement read, "the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures."
Despite assurances earlier in the week that the club's fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion would go ahead, that game has now been postponed as a precaution, nevertheless.
The Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding fixtures after Mikel Arteta tested positive for COVID-19
Statement: https://t.co/ofi5DhIQZM pic.twitter.com/RmnxRHXooz— Premier League (@premierleague) March 12, 2020
Mikel Arteta is not alone among those working within the Premier League to have been impacted by the coronavirus, however.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Chelsea confirmed that the club's entire playing staff have gone into self-isolation after Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for coronavirus.
"Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution," the club's statement explained. "However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation.
"Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible."
Thank you for all your good wishes, as I said in the video I’m feeling good and hope to see you all soon!!🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/hn5d0ikm60
— Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) March 13, 2020
Across Thursday afternoon, Brendan Rodgers confirmed that three of his Leicester City players had entered self-isolation after displaying flu-like symptoms.
The club clarified that they believe the players are suffering from common seasonal illness, but have opted to act with caution.
Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy has also entered self-isolation after a family member fell ill and was tested for coronavirus. The club have yet to confirm the Frenchman's situation.
Leicester City Football Club can confirm that, as a precautionary measure, three members of its first team squad have undertaken a period of self-isolation following recent medical advice.
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 12, 2020
Should the Premier League opt to postpone their scheduled games indefinitely, they will follow the likes of the NBA and the GAA in calling an outright cessation to activity while uncertainty surrounds the spread of coronavirus.
You can catch up with all the sporting events that have been impacted here.
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