Besiktas Istanbul announced on Thursday that it had detected eight cases of new coronavirus following tests carried out on the players and club staff, one month before the expected resumption of the football championship in Turkey. “On Wednesday 13 May, we carried out a new Covid-19 screening test on all of our players, our technical staff and employees of our infrastructure. According to the results, Covid-19 has been detected in eight people, "the Turkish club said in a statement.
The Besiktas did not, however, specify whether players were among those tested positive. The announcement is expected to heighten the concerns of players and coaches in Turkey, as the football championship is scheduled to resume on June 12 in that country.
Second division team Erzurumspor said on Wednesday it had recorded 11 cases of new coronavirus, including four players.
Resumed June 12?
"Thank you the Federation! What else were you waiting for? Today, 11 people are infected, in a few days this figure will rise to 20! "Prevailed a defender of the club, Yusuf Acer. The Turkish football championship has been suspended for two months due to the new coronavirus pandemic which has killed nearly 4,000 in Turkey, according to the latest report published on Wednesday.
Despite opposition from players and coaches, such as Galatasaray technician Fatih Terim, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced on May 6 that the championship would resume on June 12, initially in camera.
The president of the TFF, Nihat Ozdemir, however, raised the possibility of welcoming the public to the stadiums after a few meetings if the epidemic subsides.
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