(AFP): Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo has tested positive for the novel coronavirus two days before Portugal’s Euro 2020 opener against Hungary, the defending champions’ federation announced today (Sunday).
Cancelo has been placed in isolation, while Portugal’s coach, Fernando Santos, has replaced the 27-year-old with Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot for the European champions’ first game in Budapest on Tuesday.
“According to the Covid-19 protocol established by UEFA before Euro 2020 matches every player in the squad underwent RT-PCR tests on Saturday. The results, with the exception of Joao Cancelo, were negative,” the Portuguese federation announced.
“The AC Milan player will replace João Canceloo, who tested positive for Covid-19 following a quick test of the antigen carried out this Saturday by the health and performance unit of the FPF,” read a statement from the Portuguese Football Federation.
Cancelo came into Euro 2020 on the back of an impressive season at City, making 43 appearances as Pep Guardiola’s side completed a Premier League and Carabao Cup double and reached the final of the Champions League.
Russia’s build-up to the delayed European Championship was hit when winger Andrei Mostovoy tested positive and was ruled out on Friday, the day before their opening game against Belgium.
Spain skipper Sergio Busquets is self-isolating and out of their opening game against Sweden on Monday in Seville after testing positive last weekend, two days after a warm-up match against Portugal.
