Italian FA confirm Roberto Mancini has tested positive for coronavirus just weeks after apologising for joking about the disease on Instagram, with 55-year-old set to sit out the international break to self-isolate
- Roberto Mancini has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Italian FA confirmed
- The FIGC announced the news on Friday before adding that he is asymptomatic
- Mancini will now have to self-isolate at his home in Rome for at least 10 days
- The news comes weeks after Mancini was forced to apologise for a COVID joke
Italy coach Roberto Mancini has tested positive for the coronavirus days before the international break.
The Italian FA confirmed the news on Friday before adding that the 55-year-old is showing no symptoms and is self-isolating at his home in Rome.
He will now quarantine for at least 10 days seeing as he is asymptomatic, which will see him miss his side’s upcoming friendlies and Nations League fixtures.
Roberto Mancini has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Italian FA have confirmed
‘As part of the periodic checks carried out by the FIGC for the members of the technical staff of the national teams in view of the upcoming commitments in UEFA competitions, the coach Roberto Mancini tested positive for COVID-19,’ the FIGC wrote in a statement.
‘He’s completely asymptomatic and in compliance with the provisions in force, the Azzurri technician placed himself in fiduciary isolation at his home in Rome.
‘The FIGC promptly notified the competent local health authority. The coach will be able to join the national team meeting in Coverciano once the path foreseen by the FIGC’s and the UEFA’s Return to play protocols.’
The FIGC announced the news on Friday before adding that the 55-year-old is asymptomatic
The news of Mancini’s diagnosis comes two weeks after the Italy boss was forced to apologise for posting a cartoon on his Instagram that made light of the virus.
The former Manchester City boss controversially posted a picture of a man in hospital revealing he got the deadly virus ‘by watching the news on TV.’
Mancini faced outrage for the post, with many believing it was insulting and belittling to the pandemic – in a time where the second wave was sweeping the country.
‘I simply shared a vignette that seemed to be taking the drama out of such a complicated moment,’ wrote Mancini on social media last month.
Mancini is set to miss a number of Italy’s upcoming fixtures as he self-isolates at home in Rome
‘That is all. There was no underlying message and no intention to show of a lack of respect towards those who are ill or the victims of COVID-19. If that is what came across, then I apologise.’
The Italy squad will meet up on Sunday before hosting a friendly against Estonia on Wednesday.
The following Sunday will see them welcome Poland in the Nations League before travelling to play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final Nations League group match four days later.