Linfield have seen their upcoming NIFL Premiership fixture against Larne postponed after a player tested positive for coronavirus.
The Northern Irish champions, who have long-standing ties with Rangers, released a statement confirming the initial news of a positive test on Tuesday evening [Linfield.com].
That was swiftly followed by a tweet from the club’s chairman, Roy McGivern, via Twitter, which read as follows: “Very unpleasant news that one of our players has tested positive for Covid-19.”
“The priority now is to look after the welfare of our players and staff. Issues around football will be addressed in due course.”
On Wednesday afternoon, another statement was issued confirming the postponement of Saturday’s fixture, after consultation with an Irish FA response group.
The Belfast Telegraph reports that former Northern Ireland international Ryan McGivern is the player in question.
He began self-isolation earlier in the week after reporting to the club that he had been in contact with a Hanover FC player who had since tested positive.
This is one of a number of football-related coronavirus stories in recent days, with Serie A coming to a halt until at least the beginning of April, while all La Liga fixtures are set to be played behind closed doors for the next two weeks.
Yet, at present, it looks as though the Europa League fixture between Rangers and Bayer Leverkusen will go ahead as scheduled on Thursday night.
