Benfica report mass COVID outbreak with 17 positive tests among players, coaches and staff

Benfica have reported a mass outbreak of coronavirus, with president Luis Filipe Vieira among the 17 individuals testing positive at the club.

The 71-year-old remains asymptomatic, and like the club’s other infected players, coaches and staff will be now required to self-isolate for a period of 10 days.

Benfica, who are third in the Portuguese top flight, are scheduled to play a League Cup semi-final against Braga on Wednesday night.

They also face Arsenal in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie on February 18.

Despite conflicting reports about Benfica’s next step forward, it’s understood that no decision has been made on whether they will play over the next fortnight.

The European giants are in ongoing discussions with the national department of health over the best possible solution.

Meanwhile, the Premier League has confirmed 16 positive coronavirus cases in the latest week of testing.

It marks a significant drop from the 36 positive cases recorded last week, which followed a season-high of 40 a fortnight ago.

Recent outbreaks of the virus affecting Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and Fulham played a significant factor in that, with several top-flight fixtures postponed as a result.