TOKYO, Jan. 14 (Reuters) – Kobe Steelers, Japan’s newest Premier League winners, said on Thursday that 10 people at the club had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the latest setting for a domestic rugby union tournament. which is set to start this weekend.
Kobe is the fifth team in the Best League to report COVID-19 positive results alongside Toyota Verblitz, Suntory Sungoliath, Canon Eagles and Toshiba Brave Lupus.
In a statement on their website, Kobe said it had “ordered all team members, including those who are negative, to wait at home” from Tuesday, when the positive tests were confirmed.
The games in which Toyota, Suntory and Canon were played this weekend have been postponed by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU).
Kyodo News Agency said Thursday that sources close to the JRFU have said the start of the season would be delayed due to the uprising.
The JRFU will hold a press conference on Friday.
The JRFU said last week that games would be played in front of thousands of fans who had already bought tickets, despite government guidelines restricting the number of people allowed to go. to sporting events.
Last year’s Premier League season was completely postponed due to the pandemic. (Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Editing by Peter Rutherford)