As cases rise across the UK, Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has tested positive for Coronavirus. The Championship club confirmed the news via their website on Thursday morning.
Neil Warnock: Middlesbrough Boss Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Will Miss Visit of Bournemouth
Warnock, aged 71, will self-isolate at home in line with UK public health guidelines. The veteran manager will be absent for Middlesbrough’s clash against Bournemouth at the Riverside Stadium this Saturday. Assistant manager Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson will take charge of the side’s game in his place.
Despite contracting the virus, Warnock is believed to be in ‘good spirits’.
Bad Start
Middlesbrough lost 1-0 in their opening league game to Watford at Vicarage Road on Friday night. Their fortune did not change on Tuesday either, as they lost to Barnsley 2-0 at home in the Carabao Cup.
Curiously, Warnock chose to watch Tuesday’s game from the stands instead of from the dugout. Warnock had been feeling unwell, which may indicate his decision to watch from a distance rather than from the dugout.
Concerns Raised About the EFL’s COVID Procedure
All of Middlesbrough’s coaching staff have since tested negative for the virus. Barnsley also believe that none of their staff or players came in to contact with Warnock – as he did not enter the sideline or the dressing room areas.
Currently, there is no mandatory obligation for EFL clubs to carry out weekly Coronavirus testing. Instead it operates on a “showing symptoms” basis for both coaches and players. The next date for testing in the EFL is not until mid-October, coinciding with the next international break.
In light of Warnock’s positive result, Middlesbrough players will only be tested if they start showing symptoms. Warnock has been avoiding the training ground at Teesside since he began to feel unwell earlier this week.
Boro’s game this Saturday against Bournemouth will see the addition of 1,000 season-ticket holders being allowed in to the Riverside Stadium. It will be one of the first in a socially distanced trial run by the EFL and the UK government to test returning fans safely to football matches.
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