Aston Villa boss Dean Smith's father has died after being infected with the new Corona virus, the club announced in the English Premier League announced yesterday. Birmingham City Club said that Ron Smith, 79, had been suffering from the virus for four weeks.
"The Aston Villa family is sad to announce the death of Ron Smith, father of our current coach Dean, at the age of 79," he wrote in a statement.
"Ron, who was finally living in a nursing home after he was diagnosed with dementia six years ago, had contracted the virus four weeks ago, and after a short period in the hospital he died alongside his family members."
"Ron, the permanent fan of Aston Villa, has been at the Villa Park stadium for many years, and he has conveyed his love for the club to his children. In addition to his permanent presence in home games. Ron was a witness to the wonderful days in May 1982 when he raised the European title villa in Rotterdam.
Smith is not the first Premier League coach to lose a relative due to Covid-19, as Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola's mother died at the age of 82 last month.
On Wednesday, the Premier League took a further step toward resuming the season that has been stalled since March due to an outbreak of the Coronavirus, by allowing friction in exercises.
The League League decision came after the British government authorized the transition to the "second stage" of the sporting competitions plan, which allows players to interact in training, including challenges and confrontations, to help them regain their fitness before returning to competitive confrontations.
Man City Guardiola coach previously lost his mother to the virus.