Former Manchester United player Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for the new novel coronavirus.His club Shandon Luneng confirmed the news on their official website, while Belgian football journalist Kristof Terreur also tweeted out that the diagnosis was in fact correct.Terreur wrote on the social media platform: "Shandong Luneng have confirmed that Marouane Fellaini has tested positive for corona virus. The player is doing fine and has to stay in quarantine."The Belgian becomes the first player from the Chinese Super League to contract the new Covid-19 virus after a test was conducted in the province of Jinan.The coronavirus pandemic started in China in the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province in the latter stages of 2019, but footballers in the country avoided contracting the virus at first.
Fellaini has since posted on Twitter, writing: "Dear friends, I have been tested for coronavirus and my test result is positive. Thanks to the fans, medical staff and the club for their care and attention. I will follow the treatment and hope to return to the game as soon as possible. Please everyone stay safe."
Cases of Covid-19 in the China have declined in recent months, but Fellaini's diagnosis is a stark reminder that the issue in the Far East is far from over.
The Chinese Super League is - like the rest of football across the world - currently on hiatus and it is unknown when the competitive football action in the country will resume.