Real Madrid Squad to Self-Isolate After Basketball Player Contracts Coronavirus

Real Madrid have confirmed their football squad is in quarantine after one of the club's basketball players tested positive for the coronavirus.

The club announced the decision in a statement on Thursday on their official Twitter account, noting the basketball and football teams share the same training facilities:

Rodrigo Faez of ESPN provided more details on the situation:

"Sources have told ESPN that Real Madrid took the decision following the recommendations of the Spanish Ministry of Health, and activity at Valdebebas will cease for a minimum of 15 days. The club have also advised family members and partners of first team staff to return home to reduce the risk of further infection."

Following Real Madrid's announcement, La Liga confirmed the competition was being suspended for two weeks:

"Given the circumstances that are coming to light this morning, referring to the quarantine established in Real Madrid and the possible cases in players from other clubs, La Liga considers it appropriate to continue to the next phase of the protocol of action against COVID-19."

Real had confirmed on Twitter earlier in the day that they were postponing tours of the Santiago Bernabeu as a result of the spread of COVID-19: 

Agence France-Presse's Kieran Canning provided his assessment of the developing situation: 

Per Spanish football journalist Rik Sharma, Marca has reported UEFA is set to suspend matches from its two major competitions, including UEFA Europa League games on Thursday: 

Los Blancos were scheduled to be in action in La Liga on Friday against Eibar and take on Manchester City in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 

Coronavirus is having a major impact on the football calendar, with two of this week's Champions League clashes being played behind closed doors—Valencia's home game against Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain's match against Borussia Dortmund in France.

Per CNN, as of March 12. more than 124,500 people around the world have been infected by COVID-19, with over 4,600 dead.