TURIN: The Juventus squad has been forced to isolate after Tunisian midfielder Hamza Rafia tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), the Italian club announced on Thursday.

“In compliance with the legislation and in agreement with the local health authority, the team group has entered into fiduciary isolation as of today,” the club said in a statement. “People testing negative could carry out regular training and match activities, but would not be allowed contact outside the group.”

The squad will isolate at the J-Hotel, where they have been staying since starting preseason training on July 15.

He made one appearance for the senior team, coming off the bench to score the winner in the 3-2 Italian Cup victory over Genoa in January. Juventus went on to win the competition.

Rafia, a 22-year-old Tunisia international, has made one senior appearance for Juventus since arriving from Olympique Lyonnais in July 2019 and has played more than 50 games with the under-23 team in Italy’s Serie C.

Rafia has also played 11 times for Tunisia.

Massimiliano Allegris side are scheduled to face Monza in a friendly on Saturday, before taking on Barcelona at the Camp Nou in their final pre-season match on Aug 8.

Juve’s bid to reclaim the Serie A title from Inter Milan starts with a trip to Udinese on Aug 22.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021