Schalke canceled their training sessions on Monday after one of their players tested positive for Covid-19 with three days remaining in the Bundeskuga. The Gelsenkirchen club said the player, whose identification was not released, has already isolated himself at home after a positive rapid test result. The entire team (which has already been relegated to the Second Division) underwent more sensitive PCR tests and the results are expected this Tuesday.
Schalke are already relegated in the category, but if any of their matches must be rescheduled, the issue could affect the chances of other teams to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga or qualify for the Champions League. The Gelsenkirchen team played relegation-threatened Hertha Berlin on Wednesday in a match that was already rescheduled once, when several players and members of the Berlin club's staff tested positive.
Schalke said they did not know if their matches could be played as planned. On Saturday they host Eintracht Frankfurt, who are looking for one of the four qualifying spots for the Champions League. On May 22, Schalke visit another team in the relegation zone, Cologne.
The coronavirus is another hurdle in a difficult season for Schalke, who have lost the category for the first time in three decades and are in serious financial trouble. Players and members of the coaching staff were attacked by radical fans last April.