The virus continues to spread in Europe and around the world. Here are the football figures who have contracted COVID-19

Coronavirus has taken on toll all across the world in several aspects, with football being no exception. The beautiful game had attempted to stand tall amid the virus' spread throughout Europe but was eventually forced to halt after figures in the game contracted COVID-19.

The first players to test positive for COVID-19

- Timo Hubers, first in World Football; Daniele Rugani, first in Serie A; Callum Hudson-Odoi, first in Premier League; Ezequiel Garay, first in La Liga

Closed stadiums was the first measure implemented to contain the spread, with the Premier League only banning pre-game handshakes. Eventually, play was suspended in Europe's top six leagues, with UEFA postponing the Champions League and Europe League.

The turning point in most of the competitions but not all was the fact that football figures contracted or were suspected of contracting the coronavirus. Here are the list of confirmed players, coaches, and executives who were caught COVID-19.

Status in Europe's top club competitions:

  • UEFA Champions League: postponed

  • UEFA Europa League: postponed indefinitely

  • Premier League: suspended until April 04

  • La Liga: suspended for Matchday 28 and 29

  • Serie A: suspended until April 03

  • Ligue 1: suspended indefinitely

  • Bundesliga: suspended until April 02

  • Primeira Liga: suspended indefinitely

*For detailed info regarding the statuses of Europe's top leagues, check out our live and updated coronavirus guide.

Confirmed cases

  • Bundesliga: Luca Kilian (Paderborn)

  • 2. Bundesliga: Timo Hübers (Hannover), James Horn (Hannover)

  • Premier League: Mikel Arteta (Arsenal head coach), Callum Hudson Odoi (Chelsea), Pepe Reina (Aston Villa), Ian Woan (Burnley assistant manager), Adrian Mariappa (Watford)

  • Serie A: Manolo Gabbiadini (Sampdoria), Omar Colley (Sampdoria), Albin Ekdal (Sampdoria), Antonino La Gumina (Sampdoria), Morten Thorsby (Sampdoria), Fabio DePaoli (Sampdoria), Bartosz Bereszynski (Sampdoria), Germán Pezzella (Fiorentina), Patrick Cutrone (Fiorentina/on loan from Wolves), Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Juventus), Daniel Maldini (AC Milan)

  • La Liga: Ezequiel Garay (Valencia), Eliaquim Mangala (Valencia), José Luis Gayà (Valencia),

  • Segunda Divison: Jonathas de Jesus (Elche)

  • Super League Greece: Evangelos Marinakis (Olympiakos owner)

  • Liga MX: Alberto Marrero (Atletico San Luis president), Enrique Bonilla (Liga MX presient)

  • Japan: Kozo Tashima (head of Japan Football Association and deputy head of Japan's Olympic committee)

  • League One: James Bolton (Portsmouth), Andy Cannon (Portsmouth), Sean Raggett (Portsmouth), Haji Mnoga (Portsmouth)

  • Chinese Super League: Marouane Fellaini (Shandong Luneng)

  • Others: Paolo Maldini, Rustu Recber, Lorenzo Sanz (sadly passed away), Pape Diouf (sadly passed away)

Updates on those affected

Watford player and staff test positive

Similarly, members at Watford have also tested positive. While the club refused to reveal the identity of the footballer, Adrian Mariappa came out and stated that he is the one to have contracted COVID-19.

Burnley assistant manager test positive

With the Premier League planning on its return, Burnley announced that assistant manager Ian Woan has tested positive. It remains unknown if other key figures at the club have been infected.

Pepe Reina relives the worst moment after contracting COVID-19

Pepe Reina unfortunately contracted the coronavirus and is doing well. However, the Spanish goalkeeper revealed that this was not always the case, admitting that at one point, he could not breathe for nearly half-an-hour.

Former Marseille presient Pape Diouf loses his life to coronavirus

Pape Diouf, the former president of Marseille, has sadly lost his life after suffering from coronavirus-related complications. Tributes poured in for the Senegalese man after his tragic death.

Turkish icon Rustu Recber in critical condition

Turkish icon Rustu Recber is said to be in critical situation after contracting COVID-19. The retired goalkeeper who famously led his nation to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in 2002, is Turkey's most capped player.

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz passes away

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz has sadly passed away after contracting the coronavirus. The 76-year-old, who was the president at the Bernabeu from 1995 to 2000, died on Saturday. He was at the helm of Los Blancos when they signed the likes of Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker and oversaw two European Cup wins.

Fellaini the first footballer in the Chinese Super League to contract the virus

Despite being the former epicenter of COVID-19, no professional footballer had contracted the coronavirus until Marouane Fellaini. The former Man Utd man has tested positive and we wish him a speedy recovery.

The Maldinis catch the coronavirus

AC Milan have confirmed that the legendary Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel, who plays for the Rossoneri, have both tested positive for the coronavirus.

Dybala the latest Juventus star to test positive for COVID-19

Dybala is now the third Juve player to test positive for the coronavirus. The Argentine superstar took to social media to inform his fans, revealing that he and his girlfriend have both contracted the virus.

Liga MX president contracts COVID-19

Enrique Bonilla, the president of Liga MX, has unfortunately tested positive for the virus. The Mexican top-flight official did not exhibit symptoms, which hopefully means he will make a speedy recovery.

Four Portsmouth players test positive

Portsmouth have confirmed that James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Haji Mnoga, and Sean Raggett have tested positive for the coronavirus. Fortunately, they are showing no to mild symptoms and have self-quarantined themselves.

Jorge Jesus cleare of the virus

After initially testing positive, a second test was carried out as it had been a weak result. Fortunately for Jorge Jesus, the second one came in negative, clearing the Portuguese tactician of COVID-19.

Matuidi the latest high-profiled player to test positive

Juventus revealed that Matuidi has joined Rugani in testing positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, the World Cup winner "is asymptomatic and is fine".

Head of Japan Football Asociation contracts COVID-19

Kozo Tashima, the head of Japan Football Association and deputy head of Japan's Olympic committee, has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Japanese official was in the USA for the SheBelieves Cup and given that USWNT and Japan faced off in that competition, many began worrying that the health of the women's world champions might have been compromised. USSF released a statement saying that they do not believe the ladies contracted COVID-19 as there had been no interaction with Mr. Tashima.

Six cases confirmed in the Espanyol squad

Espanyol revealed that six players have tested positive for coronavirus but have chosen not to keep their identities confidential. Furthermore, the Catalan outfit believe that members of their coaching staff might have also gotten infected.

"All of those infected have shown mild symptoms and are currently following the medical recommendations,"according to the club.

Full statement:

Jorge Jesus tests positive for COVID-19 but is feeling fine

Jorge Jesus, the Flamengo coach who led his side to a remarkable Copa Libertadores title, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Fortunately, the Portuguese tactician revealed that he is feeling fine despite contracting the virus.

Garay shares window kiss with wife

The Valencia defender, having tested positive for COVID-19, has been under self-isolation but has shared a heartwarming kiss with his wife… through the window.

Arteta doing fine

Similar to Hudson-Odoi, Arteta also took to social media to offer an update on his condition. The Arsenal boss revealed that he is doing well while also congratulating the Premier League for suspending the league.

Hudson-Odoi recovers from the virus

After it was confirmed Hudson-Odoi tested positive for COVID-19, he posted an update shortly afterward on Twitter, informing fans that he had recovered from the virus.