Bournemouth player returns positive virus test
A Bournemouth player was one of two people working for Premier League clubs who tested positive for COVID-19 following a second batch of testing, the club says.
Bournemouth did not disclose the player's identity but said he would self isolate for seven days in line with league protocols before another test is conducted.
"AFC Bournemouth can confirm that one of its players has tested positive for COVID-19, following the club's second round of testing," Bournemouth said in a statement.
"Following strict adherence of the Premier League's return to training regulations, the club's training ground remains a safe working environment for players and backroom staff, who will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice per week."
Since players returned to limited group training last week, eight positive tests for the virus have been confirmed at England's top-flight clubs.
Six individuals, including Watford defender Adrian Mariappa and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan, were positive in the first round of testing on May 17-18.
No matches have been played in the Premier League since March, but the government has given the go-ahead for elite sport to resume from June 1.
The Premier League's "Project Restart" envisages a return to competitive action in June, although no date has been fixed.
More than 250,000 people have contracted the virus in the United Kingdom and over 36,000 have died.
Hull City of the second tier Championship said two of their players had tested positive.
The English Football League (EFL) announced earlier that two individuals from one club had tested positive out of 1014 players and staff tested over the last 72 hours.
Hull said the unnamed pair were both asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects and would self-isolate for seven days before being tested again.
In Spain, four Sevilla players were caught breaking the Spanish government's rules on social gatherings after one of the player's wives posted a photo on Instagram.
La Liga chief Javier Tebas said on Sunday that footballers must remember to act responsibly to stop the spread of coronavirus after Argentine trio Ever Banega, Lucas Ocampos and Franco Vazquez as well as Dutch striker Luuk de Jong were pictured at a gathering along with eight other people over the weekend.
Spain has eased one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe as its COVID-19 infection rate has slowed and the death toll has declined, although groups of more than 10 people are still not permitted by the guidelines.
La Liga is following its own strict protocol to ensure player safety when soccer resumes.
"Players are an example to society and should be careful with their actions," Tebas told television network Movistar.
"I call on all footballers to not act like this. We have to be very careful because a lot of people's jobs are at stake.
"Safety is guaranteed at training grounds and matches but I'm worried about other places and parties like this. We should all be very cautious.".
The players all issued statements to apologise for their behaviour, which Sevilla published on the club's official Twitter account.
Sevilla's derby match with neighbours Real Betis is set to be the first La Liga game to be played when the season resumes next month, with Tebas saying he hopes the match will be played on June 11.