News

Coronavirus updates overshadow preparations for FPL Gameweek 30

The build-up to Gameweek 30 of Fantasy Premier League was overshadowed by a string of Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates on Thursday.

Brendan Rodgers announced in his latest press conference that three first-team Leicester City players were “being kept away” from the main bulk of the squad having “shown symptoms and signs” of the virus.

The Foxes boss did not reveal which individuals were affected by this decision, but the local press have reported that, as they have shown only “minor symptoms of a cold-like illness”, they have “not yet been tested for coronavirus as they have not hit the threshold in terms of symptoms”.

Later on, a Leicester statement confirmed that “all three players were advised by NHS 111 that their symptoms were consistent with seasonal illness”.

“We’re taking all the necessary precautions that everyone is doing. We’ve had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs, so we’re following procedure really with them. They’ve been kept away at this moment from the rest of the squad. We’ll see how that develops. We have to wait and see [if it will keep them out of the weekend’s game]. It’s about having the agility to react. This is about health. This is more than football. This is players and their families and children. So with any risks that are there, for their health and everyone else’s, we have to mitigate against that. A few players who have shown symptoms, we’ve self-isolated them. We’ll see how that develops over the next couple of days. We’ve got three [players in self-isolation].” – Brendan Rodgers

Either way, the fact that Leicester’s players shared a pitch with those of both Aston Villa and Norwich inside the last 14 days will probably make the latest updates from Dean Smith and Daniel Farke more important than usual.

Alonso back on FPL radar but Chelsea defensive woes continue 2

Meanwhile, the Athletic and Football.London reported on Thursday afternoon that preparations for Chelsea’s upcoming meeting with Aston Villa were disrupted in connection with COVID-19.

Athletic Reporter Simon Johnson claimed that the Blues’ training session had been cancelled after “someone close to the squad complained of coronavirus symptoms” on Wednesday evening.

Manchester City’s schedule has also been affected, following some breaking news from Spain on Thursday morning.

It was revealed that, following one of the club’s professional basketball players testing positive for COVID-19, the Real Madrid squad was entering into 14 days of self-isolation.

This period includes Manchester City’s scheduled Champions League second-round second-leg tie with the Spanish side, which has now been officially postponed.

“Real Madrid reports that a player from our first basketball team has tested positive after testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Since then, the recommendation has been made to quarantine both the basketball first team and the football first team, given that the two squads share facilities in Madrid. Likewise, it has been decided to close the facilities of our sports city and it is also recommended that all Real Madrid personnel who provide their services in Real Madrid City remain in quarantine.” – Real Madrid statement

“Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League fixture at home to Real Madrid has been postponed. The decision to postpone Tuesday’s game was made in conjunction with UEFA and follows confirmation that players from Real Madrid will self-isolate, after it emerged that a player from the club’s basketball team tested positive for COVID-19.” – Manchester City statement

Elsewhere in the Champions League, the entire Juventus squad has also been placed in self-isolation following an official club announcement that defender Daniele Rugani had tested positive for COVID-19.

That development has seen their upcoming Champions League trip to Lyon called into question.

“You’ve read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who’s worried about me, I’m fine. I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinction! Let’s do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us.” – Daniele Rugani

Meanwhile, Wolves and Manchester United’s Thursday evening Europa League matches are yet to be called off.

The Red Devils’ trip to Austria to face LASK has been closed off to fans, as has Wolves meeting with Olympiacos in Athens.

It was the Greek club who were at the heart of the story earlier this week as their owner, Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Nottingham Forest, revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19.

As he was in contact with several Arsenal players for a Europa League tie at the Emirates Stadium 12 days prior to this announcement, the Gunners’ midweek trip to Manchester City was postponed, cancelling Double Gameweek 29.

Arsenal reported that a select and unspecified group of players would spend the rest of this week self-isolating to see out the 14-day period after meeting Marinakis and that they would return to training on Friday to prepare for the trip to Brighton.

Naturally, this has led to some concern in West Ham circles, as the Hammers travelled to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in Gameweek 29.

A UEFA response to developments in both the Champions League and Europa League is likely to come next Tuesday.

The European footballing body has called an emergency meeting, sensibly to be held as a video conference, between all 55 organisations under its remit to discuss how the sport will move forward on the continent.

The fate of this season’s Champions League and Europa League are expected to be decided at this coming together, while there are already suggestions in the media that it will also see some call for Euro 2020 to be postponed until 2021 to allow major domestic divisions to complete their 2019/20 campaigns before the start of 2020/21.

The wider world has already seen a deluge of events brought to a halt by the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Following Real Madrid’s announcement, La Liga was officially suspended for two weeks, following in the footsteps of Serie A in Italy which took the same decision earlier this week.

Thursday also saw major leagues in Holland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway suspended for a period of at least two weeks, while the MLS in America moved to cease all matches for the next 30 days.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed on Thursday afternoon that the government are considering banning major public events, such as sporting fixtures, which would include the Premier League. However, such decision is not expected to be immediate.

What to do if you think you might have coronavirus*

If you think you might have coronavirus or you’ve been in close contact with someone who has it:

  • stay at home and avoid close contact with other people
  • do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
  • use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next

The 111 coronavirus service will tell you if you need to continue to stay at home (self-isolate) or if you need medical help.

* Information taken from the official NHS website.

528 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Not seen such a bunch of pessimist doom-mongers! For goodness sake keep calm and be positive. EFL matches definitely going ahead this week and so will the Premier League matches.

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I wouldn't say definetely...

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        This

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Just announced on Sky.

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Breaking News

          "EFL Games to go ahead this weekend"

          1. Syd.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            The EFL is not the Premier League

            Which games were they referring to?

    2. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      It's the uncertainty that's making everything tricky. Only 1 game was called off unexpectedly this week and we've seen some suffer from it and some benefit from it - pure good/bad luck to be honest. It will be a shame if the season finishes in a similar fashion.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      t. Ostrich

  2. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    So many questions regarding FPL at the mo and despite contacting them I got a very generic response back. It looked like they sent me the template response to those moaning about the GW29 postponement, which I wasn't doing! 🙂 They're never been very helpful to be honest. What do you think the answers are to the below questions?

    1. If the season is extended into the summer, will additional game weeks be added and/or current ones moved? Or just one large GW38?

    2. Do you think FPL would ever do anything like give players an additional wildcard/more chips to aid with the above?

    2. If you activate your wildcard or free hit ahead of a game week that is then postponed entirely will you get these back? FPL rules currently state these can't be cancelled once activated. Would you simply get what you've done for the next game week?

    1. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Second 2. should obviously be 3. 🙂 Cheers all

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      1. Don't see why Gameweeks won't follow the same numbering system even if extended

      2. No more wildcards, expect the unexpected.

      3, Postponements happen, live with it.

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Not sure you quite got point 3. What I was getting at was if the game week didn't happen at all would those activated chips still stand? I guess you could even ask the same question for bench boost and triple cap. If all matches got postponed would you just lose them if activated? I've never experienced anything like this in FPL.

    3. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      No idea - good questions though. From an FPL point of view, it would be at first hilarious, and then completely exasperating, to have a septuple gameweek to round things off.

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        It would be crazy! But knowing the FPL site this is exactly what may happen.

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      yes they going to re-code all the game to give folks extra chips and a wc . No need to wait on that answer, i can answer it for you 😉

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        They gave everyone a new wildcard before. Its not hard.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Wasn't that because they messed up the update?

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          When?

          I don't remember this, unless you mean when they changed/ruined the game so you had 2 wc instead of 1 ( the good old days 🙁 ). If so they had started upgrading the game very early in pre season. You think they would go to that length because a few folk on here think it's a good idea. Getting a reply alone is like getting blood from a stone

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Pretty sure it was the beginning of 2016/17 season - the site went down about an hour or so before the deadline of GW1, and loads of teams weren't able to make changes or set up.

            1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              Was that the year everyone was locked out ?
              It would be odd to have folks ending up with 2 wildcards. If i had a wildcard left and others didn't. Id be well annoyed if FPL gave everyone another . You can see the outrage it would cause?

              1. DeadStarComing
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 17 days ago

                It would be highly controversial. But it has happened before!

              2. Greek Freak
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 17 days ago

                Yeah the time people were locked out just prior to the deadline - I don't know the logistics though, I wasn't among them.

                1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 17 days ago

                  Somthing rings a bell but i can't remember exactly. I wouldn't hold much hope with FPL towers in all honesty. Doubt they will even respond

      2. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yeah didn't they give everyone an extra wildcard in a previous season? So it's not that crazy to think it couldn't happen again.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Not going to happen. Was a GW1 thing as explained above.

          1. DeadStarComing
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            I hope not. Would be very controversial.

    5. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      "... What do you think the answers are to the below questions? ..." Easy, if it requires custom programming we are not going to do it. End of story.

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      There's no point thinking about all this. These are uncharted waters. A free online game doesn't plan what they will do if there is a pandemic.
      We have to deal with what we have and just play the gameweek in front of us till the PL finally gets suspended.

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Some sense spoken. Nice one Karan

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Cheers mate!

      2. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        The reason why I'm thinking about this is because it's going to make a big difference on whether to play chips now or not. If FPL are really not making any plans then there's a high chance we're going to end up with a ridiculously large GW38. Surely worth saving your free hit if that was the case. Where as if they simply give everyone a free hit (to help with the disruption) there's no point saving it. I totally accept it's uncharted waters but hopefully you understand where I'm coming from - it could end up making a big difference come the end of the season.

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          And there's also a chance that FPL is just completely called off for this season even if the PL is completed later on in the summer or whenever.
          You can't expect an answer for this from FPL they don't know what will happen. This could last for a month or a year who knows.
          Just try to maximise the points in the gameweek in front you I can't see the PL lasting much longer other countries are not stupid they are calling off all sporting events.

          1. DeadStarComing
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Yeah, fair enough. Never known anything like this (unsurprisingly). I'll probably end up just trying to play my chips in the "normal" fashion and just hope nothing controversial happens at the end of the season. One thing though, I know it's a free game and for some is "just a game" but I'm in a very competitive cash mini-league. Football is big in my life. I do take it seriously 🙂

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              It's exactly the same here mate. I'm in alot of cash leagues too and football is a big part of my life too. But I'm just going to concentrate on improving my rank with whatever gameweeks we have left and not let these uncontrollable elements change or hinder my thinking.

          2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Yes , they use pre season to develop the game too. Maybe even incorporate some changes.

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              I think there's a good chance if it's delayed alot FPL will just write off the season. It hardly matters it's not like they have to finish the game and crown winners.

          3. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Well, here in Finland we play hockey for empty stadions. I doubt it is bigger risk for the players than going to pub.

            1. jtreble
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              Patrik Laine begs to differ. 🙂

        2. Homer21
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Remember it's just a game

    7. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      It wasn’t exactly a second wildcard (that could be used whenever), it was just that unlimited transfers rolled to gameweek 2.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I expect that if a gw didn't happen, they'd just extend it for as long as needed to fit the next round of games in.

  3. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Arsenal no longer a red fixture on fixture ticker in FPL

    About time..

  4. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    All Pro14 rugby games (covers Wales, Ireland, Scotland, SA & Italy) suspended until further notice

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Rugby is for fannies

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yer won't be shedding any tears over that one

  5. stevehaigh84
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Is it worth bringing Barklay in for a 4 point hit? He's in great form and could be a good differential in my mini league.

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      No cos game might get postponed.

      Hold fire

    2. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Season will be canceled, so its irrelevant. Just when I was about to win it 🙁

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Is that Roy or Klopp?

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        No it won't - you must keep calm, carry on, and win the title.

  6. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Fleck -------> Traore or Sarr?

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Sarr

  7. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    United on fire.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Against some random team who lost their home advantage with no crowd

      Nice one Ogie . They must be on fire 😉

  8. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Few hours this week looking at transfers but given all the uncertainty think I'll just roll the transfer.

    GK Pope
    DEF TAA, Cathcart, Saiss
    MID Salah, KDB, Mane, Saar
    FWD Auba, Ings, Jimmy

    Subs - Barnes, Stephens, Williams 

    That's 8 for GW31 (probably won't happen will it) and 2 free transfers.

    I'll captain a pool, with either Auba or KDB vice as they play Saturday.

    By holding off I'm not bringing more GW31 players in for a GW that just might not happen given the Virus

    If Watford v Leicester is called off my bench easily covers it?

    Think my plan is decent?

  9. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Greenwood plays he scores. United through already nice one.

  10. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Apologies if I upset any millennials, but in the 70's parents used to have 'pox parties' for kids to catch chicken pox together to strengthen their immune systems, welcome to the twitter era.....

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      So you caught it and couldn’t get it again!

      1. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yes

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Funnily enough you can catch chicken pox twice. It's very unusual but it happens. It's the same virus that causes shingles.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Yep, and that's no fun at all I can tell you!

    2. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      " ... used to have 'pox parties' for kids ..."

      They still do in low-IQ Trump country.

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I'm generalizing, but I wonder how the coronavirus will impact the views of science in the "bible belt"

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Earth still flat, dinosaurs only 5,000 years old.

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      That was because it's more dangerous to get with age

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Chicken pox for the first time, as an adult, is evil.

        1. One Wheels Enough
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Thats why the kids did it

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        And there was no vaccine. We have to also remember, that parents were safe those days. No parents aren't safe if kids get it now.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          I should be able to spell better 😉

        2. Third Eye Vision
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Is there a chickenpox vaccine nowadays?

          1. potatoace
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 17 days ago

            Yeah. Isn't it part of some countries standard inoculation programs.

            1. potatoace
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 17 days ago

              varicella vaccine

              1. Third Eye Vision
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 17 days ago

                Not often I learn something unrelated to football on this site!

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      That is like, child abuse??

    5. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Its already been established that childrens immune systems seem to be dealing better with the virus already. In turn however, by nature and in general, they are superspeaders

      1. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Case in point - 'Hepatitis A.' Children generally show no symptoms, but seriously effect adults.

  11. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    As an owner of 2 Leicester players, I could really do with knowing who these 3 players are in self isolation!

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      It doesn't matter, I think they will postpone that fixture (Sarr owner here).

    2. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Vardy and Soy? I own the same 2 and find it extremely unlikely it’d be either of then

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Based on what? Your good luck?

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I read it is Soyuncu, Perez, Amartey

  12. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Bit of nightmare making transfers this week

    Wanted Sarr but he's playing against Leicester which might be called off.
    Martial has a knock.
    Was considering Giroud but Chelsea training center scare happened.
    Pepe has to go can't risk keeping an Arsenal player

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      I don't wanna keep Pepe even if he's the only immune person on the planet.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        I agree with you 100%

  13. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    These games being played with no fans feel strange,more like training games.

    I think we will see some very strange results and scorelines if this is the case going forward.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Yup I agree might see some big scores.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Why should scores be lower with no crowd?

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Yes, in hockey all away teams (except one) won here today. Home advantage is totally gone. Maybe playing home without crowd is mentally more difficult than away. Away there are always less own fans.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Yeah, i have a feeling it might play out like that too.

          It might play into who i am looking to get in to my fpl team from now on.

  14. AuFeld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Anyone have a chance to compare EVE chances conceded by flank since GW21?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      Ask a self isolater, plenty of time on thier constantly washed hands.

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      We’re massively weak down our right flank. Coleman injured and Sidibe can’t defend. I read this morning we’d conceded the third highest number of big chances from the right in the league, but not sure what period that covers.

  15. RealVirg
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    England won't be as bad as Italy with respect to Corona virus. Italians can't stop kissing each other on greeting...there lies the problem

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      But Chinese are not kissing either 🙁

      1. RealVirg
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Hotpot is the root of their problems

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 17 days ago

      What do the English and Americans do? Shake hands and hug? Come on.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Fist pump or elbow bump.

        1. The Gobstopper
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 17 days ago

          Head nod.

      2. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 17 days ago

        Where to busy getting the virus placing our orders on the McD touch screen

  16. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 17 days ago

    Imagine the championship if you voided or ended the league early. About 7 teams are within 6 points of the play offs.Not a chance in hell anything but suspending leagues will happen surely.

  17. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 16 days ago

    Going to be another BGW?

    Arsenal
    Chelsea
    ???