NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis has announced that he has contracted coronavirus.
In a statement on the Greek shipping magnate’s Instagram, he wrote that he was nonetheless “feeling good”.
He wrote: “The recent virus has ‘visited’ me and I felt obliged to let the public know.
“I feel good as I take all the necessary measures and I [have] discipline to the doctors’ instructions.
“I strongly advise all my fellow citizens to do the same. I wish all a quick recovery.”
Marinakis, 52, also owns Olympiacos who are due to play Wolves in the Europa League having knocked out Arsenal.
Daily Telegraph report that the game is now in some doubt as the Greek team’s entire squad and staff are due in hospital for coronavirus tests.
A statement from the club is due later on.
The Athens side’s recent victory over the Gunners was attended by the businessman, who was also at Forest’s defeat at home to Millwall on Friday.
It is not known whether Marinakis was contagious during those visits but he is now self-isolating to prevent the virus spreading further.
A famously hands-on owner, the Greek tycoon was inside the dressing room and entered the pitch after Olympiacos’ win at Emirates Stadium.
Images of Marinakis posing with fans from Friday’s Forest match were also posted online and now there are fears anyone who came into contact now needs to be tested for coronavirus themselves.
He also reportedly met the first-team as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to play-off pushing Millwall.
Twitter user Al asked: “Imagine how many hands he shook?”
And SeCu posted that he: “Had a few photos with people before the game and no doubt met the squad.”
Coronavirus prevention had already led to Olympiacos’ match with Wolves at Karaiskakis Stadium to be moved behind closed doors.
Matches involving Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Valencia and Barcelona have also been placed under the same measure.
But there is no sign yet of English matches being cancelled or played in empty stadiums – amid the total postponement of sport in Italy.
