German top flight club Paderborn said central defender Luca Kilian has tested positive for the new coronavirus while French second division side Troyes confirmed two players had also been infected.

The positive tests were disclosed hours after authorities in both countries suspended their top football competitions as part of measures to contain the coronavirus.

Kilian, 20, had been sidelined due to injury for a number of weeks but his infection meant the whole club would be tested on Saturday, Paderborn said.

“We will do everything we can to keep the illness contained and to provide our players and employees with the best possible medical care and support,” said the Bundesliga club’s managing director Martin Przondziono.

Troyes, meanwhile, said one senior unnamed player and another from their academy had tested positive.

“The two players were immediately placed in isolation in their homes. The whole club also remains under medical supervision,” Troyes said on their website.

French media reported Troyes striker Suk Hyun-jun, a South Korea international, was one of the positive tests.

Suk had been a doubt for Friday’s scheduled game against Ligue 2 rivals Le Mans because he did not “feel very well”, French media reported, citing manager Laurent Batlles.

In Italy on Friday, Sampdoria said four more of their players had tested positive, bringing the total to five.

Seven players have now tested positive for the virus in the top flight Serie A, with Fiorentina and Juventus also recording infections.

Marijne decision

The Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne was forced to put off his plans to visit his home country, the Netherlands, due to the travel restrictions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marijne was supposed to travel to the Netherlands on Friday night for a week during a brief break of the national camp of the women’s hockey team but the 45-year-old Dutchman had to cancel his plans. “I don’t want to risk myself and my family during this troubled times,” Marijne said.

“Had to turn around on my way to the airport. The risk is too great that I can’t return to India. Hard times for everyone and for me now that I can’t see my family.”

Pro League on hold

The international hockey federation (FIH) suspended the ongoing Pro League, which also involves India, till April 15 citing the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. The FIH said its decision was based on “information and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the decisions taken by a number of governments and local authorities around the world...”

India are next scheduled to play on April 26 against Germany in Berlin. The league is a home and away tournament involving nine teams.

Racing suspended

NASCAR and IndyCar reversed course and pulled the plug on racing this weekend, with IndyCar also suspending its season through the end of April . NASCAR called off Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and next weekend’s events at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Agencies