Olympiacos players given all-clear after coronavirus tests return negative ahead of Europa League tie with Wolves
Wolves have spoken of their displeasure at the ‘unnecessary risks’ of playing the game after Greek side's owner confirmed he has coronavirus
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Your support makes all the difference.Olympiacos players have been given the all-clear after being tested for coronavirus, ahead of their Europa League fixture with Premier League side Wolves.
The Greek club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, tested positive for the virus this week, meaning everyone associated with Olympiacos – players, staff and coaches, board members – needed to submit to testing to ensure there was no spread inside the club.
The results returned on Wednesday and a club statement said that “all tests came back negative for COVID-19 virus.”
It means the team are free to prepare for and play the Europa League last 16 first leg match on Thursday, even though the English side had requested a postponement.
Uefa rejected the approach, leading Wolves to criticise the decision and say it posed “unnecessary risks to players, staff, supporters and the families of all who travel” and urged Uefa to consider that “this will not be the last fixture to be affected by coronavirus.”
The game in Piraeus will be played behind closed doors, in line with Greek government guidelines.
As well as meaning the European tie will go ahead, news of Olympiacos’ players being free of the virus is a boost to Arsenal.
After the last round’s fixtures, where the London club were knocked out by last season’s Greek Super League runners-up, a number of Gunners players came into contact with Marinakis and have been self-isolating as a result.
The expected chance of having contracted the virus is considered very low, but Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Wednesday night has been postponed regardless.
Wolves’ second leg against Olympiacos is due to be played at home on March 19.
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