Coronavirus: Swiss and Serb FA bosses have virus; 5 Valencia players test positive; Atalanta isolate

March 16 – The presidents of the Serb and Swiss federations have tested positive for the coronavirus – another headache for UEFA since both attended the recent 55-nation UEFA Congress in Amsterdam.

The Swiss federation said 70-year-old Dominique Blanc received the results of a test on Sunday morning and has isolated himself at his home.

“I feel pretty good right now and have only mild flu symptoms,” Blanc said in a statement released by the federation. He was tested after developing a sore throat and mild cough. The headquarters of Swiss FA in Bern has been closed and staff who had recent contact with Blanc have received medical advice, the federation said.

Blanc was the official who stood up at the Congress to warn of the consequences of shutting down domestic football across the Continent.

“Due to the coronavirus we are in a situation that could shake, for a part of us, our professional football to its foundations,” he told delegates.

On Saturday, Serbia’s FA said its president, the 42-year-old Slavisa Kokeza, had also tested positive for the virus while five Valencia players have caught it.

Valencia travelled last month for a Champions League match against Atalanta played in front of a packed house  – just before restrictions were placed on all sports events in Italy. As a result, all Atalanta players and staff are now self-isolating.

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