May 12 – The one country in Europe playing regular football despite Covid-19, has had to postpone two games because of the virus.
Belarus, which has become a rare focal point of interest since most of European football was closed down, had to call off one top-flight game and one first division (second tier) match due to suspected COVID-19 cases.
There are almost 24,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus, with more than 130 deaths.
The national federation said that the match between FC Minsk and Neman Grodno, scheduled to take place on May 15, has been called off due to suspected cases among the home team’s players.
The first division’s match between Arsenal Dzerzhinsk and leaders Lokomotiv Gomel, scheduled for May 16, was also postponed.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has been publicly sceptical about the need for confinement to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
He has variously suggested drinking vodka, visiting saunas or playing ice hockey to beat the disease.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714048577labto1714048577ofdlr1714048577owedi1714048577sni@w1714048577ahsra1714048577w.wer1714048577dna1714048577