Chivas coach Luis Fernando Tena has tested positive for COVID-19 as the numbers of positive cases in Mexican soccer rises ahead of the start of the new "Guard1anes 2020" season on July 23.
The 62-year-old was due to be on the sideline when Chivas face clásico nacional rival Club America inThursday's final of the Copa por Mexico in Mexico City, but will remain in isolation in Guadalajara, while the team plans to travel that day for the game, according to the club.
"This morning we received the results of the 52 tests [carried out on July 14], amongst which our head coach Luis Fernando Tena came out positive," read a statement from the club. "Unlike on previous occasions, today the institution is making public the name of the person affected because he was in agreement."
Two Mazatlan FC players and one member of the team's staff tested positive last Friday in Guadalajara and were sent back to Mazatlan, while the rest of the team played Chivas on Saturday in Estadio Chivas.
Seven refereeing officials have also tested positive for coronavirus, including four new cases that were announced on Tuesday.
"All have been asymptomatic, will follow the protocol, remain isolated and won't participate until they have a negative result," read a Mexican football federation statement.
Previously, Cruz Azul had eight positive cases amongst its squad and staff, reported on June 27, while Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla announced he had COVID-19 back on March 20.
The Liga MX's "Guard1anes 2020" is set to start a week on Thursday with Atletico San Luis versus FC Juarez. The 2020 Clausura tournament was suspended on March 15 and eventually canceled on May 22.
