An MLS team ravaged by the coronavirus was forced to withdraw from the professional soccer league’s return-to-play tournament Monday in what seems to be an unprecedented move.
FC Dallas will not participate in the “MLS is Back” tournament — scheduled to begin Wednesday — after 13 players and one coach tested positive for the virus in recent days, the league announced.
It is believed to be the first instance in which a professional league has forbidden a team from joining the other clubs in returning to play amid the coronavirus pandemic. It raises the question of whether other commissioners will follow suit if teams in their leagues are also hit hard by the coronavirus.
“Given the impact of the number of positive tests on the club’s ability to train and play competitive matches, we have made the decision to withdraw FC Dallas from the MLS is Back Tournament,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. (NYPost)
