Milan (AFP)

Three players and three members of the Fiorentina coaching staff have tested positive for coronavirus, the club announced on Thursday as Serie A residents return to personal training this week.

"After laboratory analyzes conducted on Wednesday afternoon, Fiorentina announces that three athletes and three members of the technical / health staff are positive for Covid-19. The club has proceeded, in accordance with protocol, to isolate people concerned, "writes the Tuscan club.

Three Fiorentina players - Patrick Cutrone, German Pezzella and Dusan Vlahovic - had already tested positive for Covid-19 in March, but have since been found cured.

The rest of the team will undergo testing on Friday, Fiorentina said.

Italian football, stopped since March 10 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is working for a resumption of the season. But the Italian Sports Minister warned Wednesday that it was "impossible to set a certain date" for the resumption of Serie A.

Players have been allowed to resume individual training at team sports centers this week, but must wait until May 18 at the earliest to train in groups.

The Italian Federation was scheduled to meet with the government's Technical and Scientific Committee on Thursday to discuss the medical protocol with a view to returning to collective training.

© 2020 AFP