Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first-leg match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC in Piraeus, Greece, February 20, 2020. /VCG
The owner of Nottingham Forest in the English Football League Championship, Evangelos Marinakis, has revealed that he has been infected by COVID-19 just days after attending the club's home game against Millwall on Friday.
Writing on Instagram, the 52-year-old Marinakis said: "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 discipline to the doctors' instructions."
"I strongly advise all my fellow citizens to do the same. I wish all a quick recovery," the Greek businessman added.
In addition to Forest, the Greek is also owner of his country's most successful soccer club, Olympiacos. The Athens club is due to host Premier League outfit Wolverhampton in the Europa League on Thursday.
Greek authorities have ruled that the tie will be played behind closed doors with a temporary ban on spectators attending sporting events already in action. However, the game could be at risk of not going ahead as the Athens-based side's players and staff are visiting the hospital to have tests for the virus.
The virus has already infected well over 100,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000. However, Greece has detected several dozen cases without any fatality so far.
Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates his goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United in London, UK, March 7, 2020. /VCG
Meanwhile, Marinakis' infection cause quite a scare in the ongoing English Premier League (EPL) season as former champions Manchester City's much-anticipated home match against Arsenal on Wednesday has been postponed because players from the London club have had contact with the Greek.
A number of Arsenal players had met Marinakis following their Europa League round of 32 meeting in London on Feb. 27 but it was on Tuesday when he disclosed that he had contracted the coronavirus.
"Manchester City's Premier League fixture at home to Arsenal has been postponed," the Manchester-based club said in a statement.
"The decision to postpone tonight's game has been taken as a precautionary measure on medical advice, after it emerged that personnel from Arsenal FC have come into contact with the Olympiacos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, who has been named as a positive case of COVID-19."
Meanwhile the Gunners issued a statement and mentioned, "The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing COVID-19 at extremely low."
"However, we are strictly following government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact."
"The players will remain at their homes until the 14-day period expires. Four Arsenal staff, who were sitting close to Mr. Marinakis during the match will also remain at home until the 14 days are complete," the London club also stated.