9 players with COVID force Venados to cancel game

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Team managers expressed disappointment but highlighted their commitment to players’ health. Photo: Venados FC

The Venados de Yucatán postponed Tuesday’s match against the Oaxaca Alebrijes after nine members of its team tested positive for COVID-19.

The coronavirus screening was mandated by the Liga MX, Mexico’s professional soccer governing body. The Venados’ last game was in November before a nearly empty stadium.

Players and fans expressed their disappointment, mainly with sad emojis on social media after team broke the news on Twitter. Management said the most important thing was to ensure the health of its players. 

All nine players were self-isolating Friday and will receive care from the team’s medical staff. It is as of yet unknown if any members of the squad have presented any serious symptoms.

According to Deportes Yucatán, the players had been allowed a few days of vacation over the holidays to spend time with their families. They tested positive for the virus shortly upon returning to training. 

The news comes as a blow to soccer fans in Yucatán who had been hoping to see the team return to the pitch after being eliminated by Morelia in the previous tournament. Several professional and amateur teams have been cautiously optimistic regarding their chances of returning to normal play in 2021. But today’s news is likely to throw a wrench into these plans, at least until vaccines become widely available.

Carlos Rosado van der Gracht
Carlos Rosado van der Gracht
Born in Mérida, Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican/Canadian blogger, photographer and adventure expedition leader. He holds degrees in multimedia, philosophy, and translation from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
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