As things stand, Sheffield United v Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals will go ahead on Sunday 22 March.
This is despite the fact that, as BBC Sport reports, several Gunners players are currently in self isolation. It is a precautionary measure after some of their squad met Olympiakos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, before their Europa League tie two weeks ago.
Marinakis, who also owns Nottingham Forest, has since announced that he has contracted coronavirus.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, who face Olympiakos in the last-16 after the Greek side knocked Arsenal out, have since asked for Thursday’s match in Athens to be postponed. Their request was denied by UEFA.
As a result of some Gunners players – who haven’t been named – being in self isolation, their Premier League match with Manchester City tonight has been postponed. It is the first game in the UK to be affected by coronavirus.
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Why Sheffield United v Arsenal FA Cup clash is not affected
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Brighton and Hove Albion have already put out a statement saying their league clash with Arsenal on Saturday is still going ahead as planned.
That is because the 14-day self isolation period ends on Friday, with it being a fortnight then since the players met Marinakis. Four members of staff are also in self isolation.
It takes an average of five days for symptoms of coronavirus to show. Which is why the North London club says the chances of their players contracting Covid-19 are extremely low.
However, they are trying to contact other people who shared the directors’ box restaurant with Marinakis on February 27.
While sporting events across Europe have been affected, the UK government advice currently is to carry on as normal. Italy have suspended all Serie A matches until April 3. Meanwhile, top flight games in France and Spain are to be played behind closed doors.
We have previously written about how a similar stance in the UK could affect the Blades financially.
