Two Parma players test positive for coronavirus, quarantined

(FILES) In this file photo taken on February 02, 2019 The Italian Serie A official soccer ball and logo are pictured prior to the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Parma at the Juventus stadium in Turin. – Italy’s top-flight Serie A clubs said on May 13, 2020 they want to return to competition on June 13 if they get the all-clear from the government. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Two players from Serie A side Parma have tested positive for coronavirus and have been moved into isolation, the club announced Saturday in another setback to hopes of a season restart in football-mad Italy.

Just two days out from the scheduled go-ahead for group training at clubs, Parma said all members of their squad and staff had been tested through swabs and blood samples.

All came back negative except for two players, who are asymptomatic.

“Both of them were positive on the first test and negative on the second that was performed 24 hours later,” said Parma in a statement.

“The players, both in excellent condition and asymptomatic, have nonetheless been immediately isolated and the club will monitor them constantly.”

Clubs have suggested June 13 as a date for the championship to restart while group training will get underway on Monday.

However, there is a point of dispute with government insistence on quarantine for the entire team and staff, in the event of a positive test.

Italian clubs favour the German model, where only the infected person is quarantined.