Former Barcelona
star Xavi Hernandez has tested positive for coronavirus, his Qatari club
Al-Sadd said on Saturday, adding he would miss their league restart fixture
against Al-Khor.
Xavi, 40, recently
quashed rumours that he was preparing to move back to Barcelona and signed on
for another season at the helm of the Qatari top-flight side.
“A few days ago,
following the Qatar Stars League protocol, I tested positive in the last
COVID19 test,” Xavi said in a post on Al-Sadd’s twitter account.
“Fortunately, I’m
feeling ok, but I will be isolated until I am given the all clear. When the
health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine
and to work.”
Almost 4 percent of
Qatar’s 2.75 million people have had coronavirus, with 108,638 cases reported
since the start of the pandemic giving the tiny Gulf state one of the highest
per capita total infection rates.
However the
Gas-rich country has reported just 164 deaths meaning it has one of the world’s
lowest virus death rates and 105,420 people have recovered from COVID-19,
according to official statistics.
“Today I won’t be
able to join my team on their comeback to the official competition,” added Xavi
referring to Al-Sadd’s clash against rivals Al-Khor due to get underway at 1600
GMT Saturday.
It is Al-Sadd’s
first outing since the Qatari league was suspended in March to stem the spread
of the virus.
Al-Sadd reserves
coach David Prats would deputise, he said