Olympiacos to host Wolves despite coronavirus fears
UEFA has confirmed that the first leg of the UEFA Europa League tie between Olympiacos and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be played in Piraeus on Thursday, despite the English club having submitted a suspension request.
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On Wednesday, it became known that Olympiacos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, had contracted the coronavirus which is continuing to spread across the globe. Following that particular development, Wolves submitted a formal request to UEFA to postpone the first leg of the Last 16 tie against Olympiacos in the Europa League, which is due to be played on Thursday in Greece. However, UEFA declined the request, stating that the game will be held inside an empty Karaiskakis Stadium as planned.
Wolves later released this following statement:
“Wolves can confirm that a formal request submitted to UEFA proposing the postponement of Thursday’s Europa League tie at Olympiacos has been rejected by the governing body.
The match will take place, behind closed doors, in line with the Greek government’s enforced temporary suspension of spectators attending sporting events, to limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Greece.
“Our position is that the trip poses unnecessary risks to our players, staff, supporters and the families of all who travel, at such critical and uncertain times.
“Our concern is also for our opponents, whose players and staff have today been tested, and will now be expected to play their part in an important fixture, under the difficult and challenging circumstances of their owner suffering with the virus.
“There is also disappointment that the match will be played without home and away supporters, as that is part of what makes European competition so special, as well as the fact our fans have already contended with similar obstacles on our Europa League journey already this season.
“We believe that there are some things that are more important than football, and that the good health of our pack and the general public is one of them. However, we respect the decision of UEFA and the integrity of the competition, and we will travel tomorrow to Greece to play the fixture.
We hope that our request to UEFA, and our acceptance of their decision, can act as the catalyst for them to consider alternative options moving forwards, as this will not be the last fixture to be affected by coronavirus.”
This morning, Olympiacos confirmed that all coaches, players and staff submitted tests for the virus, which came back as negative:
“Olympiacos FC informs that after the required medical exams to which all the members of the football staff (players, coaching, medical and technical staff of the team), as well as all the board members and staff, were submitted, all the tests came out negative for the COVID-19 virus.”
The game in Piraeus will begin at 22:00 local time tomorrow.
The second leg will be played in England next week.
