The body that runs professional football in France (LFP)
said its dedicated coronavirus committee was “studying” Marseille’s home game
against St Etienne on Friday following three new suspected COVID-19cases.
“The COVID-19 committee is
studying the Marseille-St Etienne match, along with the Marseille doctor,” a
league spokesman told AFP on Monday.
Three new cases of suspected
coronavirus were revealed by Marseille on Sunday, just five days before they
are due to kick off the new Ligue 1 season.
The cases are among the “workforce”,
a statement said, and if confirmed would take the number at the club to four in
the last four days.
Marseille said Monday that
tests on the three people were ongoing, with results known either later in the
day or Tuesday.
Andre Villas-Boas’ side had
already cancelled a friendly on Friday against Stuttgart of Germany as a
precaution.
Under health protocols adopted
in recent weeks but awaiting final approval, the four cases could mean
Marseille’s scheduled opener against St Etienne is called off.
At least 37 Ligue 1 players
from 11 clubs have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks.
The vast majority contracted
the virus after resuming training in June, leading to quarantine and a flurry
of cancelled pre-season matches.
With only one positive case
each, fellow top-flight sides Bordeaux, Dijon, Lens, Monaco and Nimes have not
seen their preparations too disrupted.
On the other hand, Lille (with
four cases), St Etienne (five), Montpellier (six), Nantes (seven) and Strasbourg
(nine) have all seen their pre-season affected.
Montpellier, Nantes and
Strasbourg have had to cancel several friendlies.
Two matches will not take
place this weekend – between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz and the game
featuring Montpellier against Lyon.
That is due to the Champions
League semi-final commitments of PSG and Lyon in Portugal.
