Atlético’s Griezmann, Simeone test positive as Covid disrupts Spain’s LaLiga

Madrid, Dec 30 (EFE).- Atlético Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and FC Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho on Thursday became the latest players in Spain’s top-flight to test positive for Covid-19 amid record infection numbers in the country.

Atletico confirmed in a statement that head coach Diego Simeone, and players Héctor Herrera, Koke and João Félix had also tested positive ahead of the club’s January 2 fixture against Rayo Vallecano and had gone into isolation as per medical protocol.

All five tested positive with a PCR test having previously given negative results on an antigen test.

Madrid-based Rayo Vallecano are also grappling with an outbreak of Covid-19 with a total of 15 cases in the first team. Although the club does not publish names, important players including Radamel Faclao have been missing from recent training sessions.

Barça on Thursday confirmed that Sergiño Dest, Coutinho and Ez Abde had tested positive for Covid-19, bringng the total number of players in isolation to 10, the others being Ousmane Dembélé, Gavi, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves and Alejandro Balde.

Current LaLiga leaders Real Madrid on Wednesday said Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga had tested positive for Covid.

All members of the squad, led by Carlo Ancelotti, have been subjected to PCR testing after returning from their Christmas break, which saw Vinicius flying to the United States, Courtois to the United Arab Emirates, Valverde to Argentina and Camavinga to France.

The growing list of LaLiga stars contracting with the virus comes as Spain registers daily infection records that has prompted the government to reduce stadium capacity to 75% in a bid to stem Covid-19 transmission.

Spanish health authorities logged 100,760 cases in 24 hours Wednesday. EFE

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