BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Five more footballers at River Plate have tested positive for COVID-19, lifting the powerful Argentine club’s total to 20 cases within the squad.
The impact is so high that River Plate has none of its four eligible goalkeepers fit for Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores match against Colombia’s Santa Fé.
River Plate issued a statement Monday saying Lucas Beltrán, Flabian Londoño Bedoya, Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Ponzio and Alex Vigo were the latest to test positive for the virus.
The other 15 cases were revealed on Saturday ahead of the superclasico against Boca Juniors in the quarterfinals of the Argentinian league cup. Boca won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
CONMEBOL, which governs South American soccer, allows clubs to have squads of up to 50 players. River Plate now has 32 available, including several youth team players.
Argentinian media reported the club will ask CONMEBOL to postpone the match.
River Plate is second in the Copa Libertadores Group D with six points from four matches, two behind leader Fluminense of Brazil. Colombian clubs Junior de Barranquilla are on three points and Santa Fé is on two.
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