Atletico Madrid confirm two COVID-19 positives before Champions League trip

Atletico Madrid Press Conference - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - March 10, 2020 Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone during the press conference [COURTESY]

Two members of Atletico Madrid’s group set to travel to Portugal for the Champions League quarter-finals have tested positive for COVID-19, the La Liga club said on Sunday.

Both individuals who returned positive results are self-isolating at home. The club did not reveal the identity of those who tested positive and did not confirm if a player was involved.

“Yesterday, Saturday August 8th, all the members of the first team and of the club’s Lisbon travelling party were submitted to tests... as per UEFA’s protocol to participate in the Champions League quarter-finals,” Atletico said in a statement.

 “Today, two positives appeared among the known results, which are now isolated in their respective homes and were reported immediately to the Spanish and Portuguese health authorities, UEFA, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Portuguese Federation and the Superior Council of Sports.”

Atletico confirmed the entire squad will be tested again before the team can travel for Thursday’s quarter-final against RB Leipzig in Lisbon.