Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis reveals coronavirus diagnosis after meeting squad on Friday Exclusive: Marinakis met Forest players after home game against Millwall, potentially placing them at risk of infection

The Championship season has potentially been thrown into disarray after it emerged that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has contracted coronavirus.

Marinakis, who also owns Greek side Olympiakos, attended Nottingham Forest’s home game against Millwall last Friday evening, and a number of supporters posted photos on social media taken with the owner.

However, a source has confirmed to i that Marinakis also met members of the Nottingham Forest squad, who are therefore at risk of infection. Symptoms usually take five days to appear.

The Government’s current advice is for all people who have come into contact with a sufferer to place themselves into self-isolation, and that might well include all players and coaching staff at the club, plus those who came into direct contact with Marinakis.

The 52-year-old’s diagnosis could have wide-ranging ramifications for English football. Nottingham Forest are due to play Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, but any period of self-isolation would put that fixture at risk. So too Millwall, who are due to face Derby County on the same day. There is also a schedule of Championship matches the following midweek, to be played on 17 and 18 March . The EFL has been approached for comment.

Marinakis used his Instagram account to update his followers on his health: “The recent virus has “visited” me and I felt obliged to let the public know,” he wrote. “I feel good as I take all the necessary measures and I discipline to the doctors’ instructions. I strongly advice all my fellow citizens to do the same. I wish all a quick recovery.”

Nottingham Forest said in a statement: “[We] can confirm that owner Evangelos Marinakis has tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Mr Marinakis was diagnosed after showing the first symptoms on his return to Greece yesterday afternoon. During his short stay in Nottingham last week he did not show any symptoms of the virus.

“The club are seeking advice from medical professionals and the relevant governing bodies to ensure the correct measures are taken. Until this time the club will be making no further comment.”

Marinakis’s ownership of Olympiakos could also affect other English clubs. Their Europa League tie on Thursday evening against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Athens is now in doubt, with Wolves asking Uefa to postpone the game. Olympiakos played Arsenal over two legs in the previous round.

Until now, the UK Government has not implemented any restrictions on mass gatherings – indoor or outdoor – but similar restrictions have been enacted across Europe, including Austria, Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Serie A has postponed all matches until at least April 3. On Monday, a government meeting with football’s governing bodies was held but no further action was announced.