By Daily Sports on July 26, 2020
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. (AFP)
•PHOTO: Xavi Hernandez
Source Daily Sports
Posted July 26, 2020
You may also like...
BREAKING NEWS: Leicester are 2016 English Premier League...
Nigeria’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Shame: Sunday Dare...
Odegbami inspires Special Eagles ahead of Amputee Nations...
Liverpool Held by West Ham to Boost Hopes...
Onazi Pays N1.5m For Emmanuel Sani’s Surgery
Coronavirus: Djourou & Song Among Nine Sion Players...

Africa’s first Wheelchair Fencing Academy opens in Lagos
Nigerian duo Yohanna, Okike make EPL list of youngsters to watch
Nigeria vs Egypt: All you need to know ahead of decisive WAFCON 2026 clash
Falcons ready to die on pitch – Ajibade
Commonwealth Games: Tinubu lauds Team Nigeria’s 24-medal feat, pledges more investment in sports
Falcons learnt from Malawi defeat, says Alozie
We will make Nigerians proud – Nnadozie
Celebrating Kanu Nwankwo: A True Nigerian Football Legend
Okowa hails Amusan, Enekwechi after Glasgow medals
Portable loses celebrity boxing rematch to Okocha after ring walkout
Commonwealth Games: Australia widens lead as Nigeria stays fifth on medal table
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria ranks ninth on all-time medals table
Rangers International going, going . . . (64,002 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,353 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,249 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,851 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,731 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,602 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,496 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (52,006 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,224 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,694 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,177 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,560 views)