Wolverhampton Wanderers appealed to UEFA to have their Europa League last-16 clash with Olympiacos postponed after the Greek government enforced the temporary suspension of spectators attending sporting events amid the spread of Covid-19.
UEFA rejected Wolves’ request but Olympiacos’ owner Evangelos Marinakis has confirmed he has the virus. Arsenal met with the 52-year-old in February after playing Olympiacos in the Europa League and will now self-quarantine in line with regulations – their meeting with Manchester City was postponed.
Wolves’ first leg clash with Olympiacos is still going ahead, however, which fans find baffling given the recent revelation about Marinakis.
A very strange trip awaits in Athens. Wolves have also cancelled all pre and post match press conferences as an extra precaution.
Despite Arsenal postponing their Premier League match against Man City due to contact with the Olympiakos owner, this game still goes ahead 🤷♂️
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) March 11, 2020
Absolute madness, peoples safety and wellbeing should be put before a football match.
— Russ (@Russt_29) March 11, 2020
This match should have been postponed. It’s risking the health of Nuno, the players and staff and all who come in contact wrh them. #crazy @EuropaLeague
— Tre (@AuntyTwe) March 11, 2020
This is truly unbelievable and ignorant from @EuropaLeague no common sense in this match proceeding. They directly ignoring the advice from WHO by letting this happen and should be heavily fined @EuropaLeague this is ridiculous. Have an ounce of common sense!
— Rishi Chotai (@RishiChotai) March 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/ryanxnayr/status/1237664289739214849?s=20
No diagnositic test is 100% reliable, expecially if the exposure is recent. Speaking as a biochemist and a Wolves fan, the risk is not acceptable.
— Steve Griffiths (@Goldwolf68) March 11, 2020
I would like it if Wolves took a stand here…I would also love wolves to win europa…this game should not go ahead and although I’d expect us to be thrown out, I’d like Nuno and the team to refuse to play it. Double standards. 🐺🖤🧡
— Helen CouslandOnions (@Cousy1976) March 11, 2020
Nuno knows! This is a right mess!🐺🐺🐺
— Little Dee🐺🐺🧡🖤🧡 (@lillA79) March 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheRealJabreel/status/1237653635368194049?s=20
This game should absolutely not be going ahead
— Broxton8r (@broxton8r) March 11, 2020
This is a disgrace this game should be called off
— George (@GEORGIE_35) March 11, 2020
Olympiacos tested their players and staff for Covid-19 and confirmed the results came back negative, but it does seem an unnecessary risk to have the Europa League meeting go ahead. Wolves have said they’ll comply with UEFA and play the tie, but they’re not happy with the outcome.
How will Wolverhampton Wanderers fare against Olympiacos?
Win
Draw
Nuno Espirito Santo will hope his side can put the distractions over Covid-19 behind them and get a result in an empty stadium on Thursday night. They come into their last-16 meeting off the back of three wins and a draw from their last five in all competitions.
