Ajax rocked by coronavirus outbreak as 11 players test positive ahead of Champions League game

Covid chaos in Liverpool’s Champions League group as Ajax have ELEVEN players ruled out after testing positive – including both first-choice keepers – leaving them to travel to Midtjylland with just 17 players

Ajax have been rocked by a major coronavirus crisis after a large number of their first-team players reportedly returned positive tests ahead of their Champions League clash with Midtjylland tomorrow.

According to De Telegraaf, stars Dusan Tadic, Davy Klaassen, Andre Onana, Maarten Stekelenburg are among those to have missed out on the 17-man squad which travelled to Denmark.

It has been reported that 11 players in total have contracted the virus – and new tests across the whole squad were carried out today. 

Ajax have been hit with a severe coronavirus crisis after 11 first-team players tested positive

Ajax have been hit with a severe coronavirus crisis after 11 first-team players tested positive

The results from the latest round of testing will be revealed within the next 24 days. 

In the event of any false positives, the players will be jetted out to rejoin their team-mates on Tuesday. This will require permission from UEFA.

A statement from the Dutch giants said: ‘Ajax will travel to Denmark with 17 players for the game against FC Midtjylland.

Andre Onana, Ajax's first-choice goalkeeper, is among those to have missed out on the squad

Andre Onana, Ajax’s first-choice goalkeeper, is among those to have missed out on the squad

‘Kjell Scherpen and Brian Brobbey, among others, will be present.

‘There will be a press conference on Monday at 6.45pm, where Erik ten Hag and Perr Schuurs will speak to the media. FC Midtjylland – Ajax starts on Tuesday evening at 9pm (CET).’ 

The Covid-19 chaos will be particularly disruptive to boss Ten Hag with both his first-choice goalkeepers, Onana and Stekelenburg, seemingly ruled out. 

The club have not officially revealed the names of those who have tested positive, however, and typically do not do so. 

Ajax will face Liverpool once more during the group stage of the prestigious continental competition. 

The Eredivise outfit were defeated 1-0 at home by the Premier League champions earlier this month, and drew away at Atalanta on matchday two.

source: dailymail.co.uk