COVID-19: Juventus star Ronaldo stays in Portugal

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo has not returned to Italy from Portugal, following the Italian football league’s suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.

According to reports on Thursday, the Portuguese superstar is staying in his hometown, Madeira, with his mother.

On Wednesday night, Juventus announced that Italian defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic," the club said in a statement.

"Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him," it added.

Italy is the worst-hit country in Europe, with more than 12,000 cases and over 800 deaths.

Italian authorities announced on Monday that all sports events – including Serie A football – have been suspended in the country until April 3.

The global outbreak has forced organizers of sports events across the world to cancel or alter their plans.

Multiple international sports events have been called off, rescheduled, or played without spectators, with even the future of this summer's Tokyo Olympics in doubt.

The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic.

The virus originated in Wuhan, China, but has spread to over 100 countries, and the global is now over 4,600, with more than 124,000 confirmed cases.