FIFA President Gianni Infantino Tests Positive for Coronavirus

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has tested positive for coronavirus and has entered into self-isolation accordingly, the world football governing body has confirmed.

Infantino, who replaced Sepp Blatter as FIFA chief in 2016, was showing mild symptoms of the virus.

His quarantine period will last for at least 10 days in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, until a time when he is no longer carries a threat of spreading the virus.

FIFA has additionally confirmed that all those who have been in contact with Infantino in recent days have been informed and have been advised to take the necessary steps.

The coronavirus crisis continues to impact football globally.

Numerous players and staff at all levels all over the world have tested positive for the virus over the past eight months. Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest profile case of the last few weeks, while England women’s friendly against Germany this month has been cancelled after a positive test.

Italy was forced this week to pause its attempts to re-open stadiums to fans as a result of the number of new cases, having been allowing up to 1,000 supporters per game in to watch game.

Elsewhere in Europe, football fans returning to stadiums in Spain has been put on the backburner once more after the country declared a new national state of emergency over the weekend.

Germany has allowed fans in football stadiums since the opening weekend of the Bundesliga season, with up to 20% of capacity permitted at each venue. There have, however, been individual restrictions and caveats depending on the specifics of regions and cities.

In England, fans have remained absent from seats since March. It was the intention to gradually re-open venues to limited numbers of fans from the start of October, but rising numbers of cases saw plans put on hold. There will be a formal parliamentary debate on the matter on 9 November.

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