By Adedapo Adesanya
Manchester City Football Club duo of Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the English Premier League return this weekend.
The club in a statement released on Monday said that both players are not displaying symptoms and are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and British government protocol on quarantine.
“Manchester City FC can confirm that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for Covid-19.
“Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus.
“Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season,” the statement read.
The Algerian International, Mahrez, and French defender, Laporte, were due to begin the new Premier League season with the team’s first fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September, 21. However, with this new development, it is not clear when they contracted COVID-19 and whether they will be able to play.
In a tweet, Mahrez said: “Thank you for all the nice messages, I’m good. Stay safe everyone, take care of you.”
Laporte posted in French: “Thank you all for your messages, all is as well as it can be. I’m following protocol for the next few days and I’ll be back soon. Take care of yourselves.”
Both players join Manchester United star, Paul Pogba, and Tottenham midfielder, Tanguy Ndombele, who tested positive for the virus last month.
The 2020/21 season is going to start on Saturday, September 12 but clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, Wolves, and Manchester United have been granted the opening week rest due to their stints at their various European tournaments.
