Leicester's Brendan Rodgers: 'A Few' Players Showing Coronavirus Symptoms

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has said "a few players" in his squad have shown symptoms of the coronavirus amid concerns regarding the spread of the illness.

Arsenal's Premier League game against Manchester City on Wednesday was postponed after the Gunners confirmed some of their players were in self-isolation, though no cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among their playing staff.

The Foxes chief said three of his players had been placed in isolation ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture at Watford on Saturday, via Football Daily:

Rodgers told reporters: "We've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs [of coronavirus]. We're following procedures, and [as a precaution] they're being kept away at the moment from the rest of the squad."

Leicester are currently third in the Premier League with nine games left to play. Rodgers' side are also due to host Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 21.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus threat as a pandemic on Wednesday. The disease has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths worldwide, per Jamie Gumbrecht and Jacqueline Howard of CNN.

Sporting events across the globe have already been affected as part of measures to prevent COVID-19's spread. La Liga announced on Thursday that it was postponing the first tier of Spanish football for the next two matchdays. That followed Italy's decision to suspend all sports in an effort to quell the threat.

The UEFA Champions League matchup between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday was played behind closed doors at the Parc des Princes.

Meanwhile, UEFA confirmed the Europa League last-16 matches between Sevilla and AS Roma and Inter Milan and Getafe had also been suspended.

The Giallorossi's official Twitter account confirmed on Wednesday the club were refused permission to land in Spain ahead of their first-leg meeting with Sevilla:

Rodgers also confirmed on Thursday that right-back Ricardo Pereira has been ruled out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with midfielder James Maddison also sidelined:

Wednesday's fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal is the only Premier League game so far that's been postponed or set to be played behind closed doors.