USMNT star McKennie tests positive for Covid-19 as Juventus squad self-isolate

Juventus have confirmed that midfielder Weston McKennie has tested positive for coronavirus, leading to the rest of the squad going into voluntary isolation.

The news comes just 24 hours after it was confirmed that star player Cristiano Ronaldo had also tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Portugal.

As confirmed by Goal Italy, the 35-year-old forward will return to Turin on Wednesday and self-isolate for 10 days, with Ronaldo being unavailable for his side's next two matches against Crotone and Dynamo Kiev.

McKennie will have to follow a similar procedure, with the rest of Juve's first-team squad allowed to train and take part in matches, should they return negative coronavirus tests.

Confirming the positive test for USMNT midfielder McKennie, Juve wrote in a statement: "Juventus football club announces that, during the checks provided for the protocol in force, the player Weston McKennie has tested positive for Covid-19.

"In compliance with the regulations and the protocol, the team entered into fiduciary isolation this evening. This procedure will allow all persons negative to the tests to carry out regular training and match activities, but will not allow contact with people outside of the group.

"The club is in constant contact with the relevant health authorities."

The news is the latest coronavirus case to affect football in Italy, with a number of players in Italy's top flight, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ashley Young, having tested positive for Covid-19 in recent weeks.

AC Milan forward Ibrahimovic has since returned a negative test and is able to resume playing again, although the spate of cases offers a worrying outlook for top-flight football in the country and its capacity to continue.

Indeed, controversy surrounded Napoli's scheduled meeting with Juventus that was due to take place on October 4, with the match eventually being suspended after Gennaro Gattuso's side were advised not to travel to Turn by local health authorities.

That decision was prompted by positive coronavirus tests for Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas, as well as a member of staff connected to the Naples club.

With Covid-19 cases across the country continuing to rise, it remains to be seen if a decision is made to suspend the 2020-21 Serie A season - a possible outcome that former Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio has warned would be "worse than apocalyptic".