Manchester City can be awarded tie after COVID-19 positive found in Real Madrid squad

Manchester City can enter into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a positive case found in Real Madrid’s camp.

Real Madrid can see the end of their Champions League journey this season without playing the second leg of the round of 16, as a Coronavirus case has been reported in the squad just a week before the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Real Madrid’s website released a statement revealing that Mariano Diaz has been tested positive for Coronavirus during the usual tests ahead of the Champions League travel.

“After the COVID-19 tests carried out individually on our first football team yesterday by the Real Madrid Medical Services, our player Mariano has given a positive result. The player is in perfect health and complying with the sanitary isolation protocol at home.”

Mariano medical report.#RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 28, 2020

Manchester City Vs Real Madrid 2nd leg in jeopardy?

UEFA has a big decision to make after this update and if they continue to go further with the tournament they might have to deal with the government in England.

So far, the English government exempted Real Madrid’s contingent to go through a 15-day quarantined protocol upon arrival, but since Diaz is expected to be in contact with other Real Madrid players, this exception is now in jeopardy.

Manchester City won the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu by 2-1 giving a 2 away-goal advantage to the visitors. It looked like the tie is over for Real Madrid, and had been a cakewalk for Manchester City if the lockdown didn’t suspend the league.

Since the restart of all football activities, Real Madrid has been carrying a phenomenal form, leading them to win La Liga title and could defeat Pep Guardiola’s side on current form.

Also read: FIFA plans to take control VAR to curb variations in rules like in Premier League

Moreover, the probable unavailability of Sergio Aguero also poses troubles for the Premier League runner-ups and if UEFA disallows Real Madrid to participate further, it will be a dishonourable win but will give satisfaction at the same time.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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