Nottingham Forest offer key update on coronavirus scare with question marks over Sheffield Wednesday match

Evangelos Marinakis confirmed via social media that he was suffering from the virus that has so far claimed the lives of six people in the UK.

There has been speculation as to whether Sheffield Wednesday’s home clash with Forest this weekend would go ahead.

Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City this evening was called off late last night due to the owner’s proximity with Gunners players on the evening of their Europa League defeat against Olympiakos – Marinakis’ other club – 13 days ago.

An Arsenal statement confirmed that players and officials have been self-isolated in accordance with Government guidelines.

But Forest have this lunchtime released a statement confirming that everyone who had come into contact with Marinakis was tested immediately and that they have tested negative for the virus.

The statement read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that all players, staff, and officers have been tested for the coronavirus and all results have come back negative.

“Within hours of receiving the news that owner Evangelos Marinakis had tested positive for the virus, the club took swift action to arrange tests for the entire first-team players, staff and officers that came into contact with the owner last week.

“The club will remain in close dialogue with the relevant governing bodies and football authorities to ensure the correct measures are taken.”

Sporting events across Europe have been postponed and some played behind closed doors as countries at a more advanced stage of the outbreak seek to control any further spread.

Reports suggest the Government has held talks with sports authorities and broadcasters to discuss contingency plans in the event of similar disruption.

But earlier this week culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed there were no plans to call off events with the situation as was.

The Star understands there has been no change in the EFL’s reading of the situation and that as it stands Sheffield Wednesday’s clash with Nottingham Forest will go ahead this weekend.

At last official count, there were 382 cases of coronavirus across the UK.