Marko Arnautovic (2nd R) of Shanghai SIPG FC vies with Marouane Fellaini (R) of Shandong Luneng Taishan FC during the CFA (The Chinese Football Association) Cup semifinal match in Shanghai, China, Aug 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)
Shandong Luneng midfielder Fellaini is the only player in the Chinese Super League to have contracted coronavirus.
JINAN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Manchester United and Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for COVID-19, his Chinese Super League (CSL) club Shandong Luneng announced on Sunday.
The 32-year-old former Belgian international reportedly tested positive for coronavirus on March 20 after taking a train to Jinan, and has been put into medical isolation.
Fellaini (C) of Shandong Luneng FC breaks through during the group E match between China's Shandong Luneng FC and South Korea's Gyeongnam FC at the 2019 AFC Champions League in Jinan,east China's Shandong Province, May 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
Fellaini is reportedly the only player in the CSL to have contracted the disease, which has afflicted more than 260,000 people across the world.
Notable footballing figures to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in recent days include Juventus players Paulo Dybala and Blaise Matuidi, and former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini.
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz passed away on Saturday at the age of 75 after having been hospitalized with the condition. ■
