Luka Milivojevic tests positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Serbia

BY SAM SMITH

Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic has tested positive for Covid-19.

The midfielder returned a positive result on Monday while on international duty with Serbia, before testing positive again in a follow-up test on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old is the third Palace player to contract the virus, following Jordan Ayew and Jack Butland.

Milivojevic is self-isolating in Serbia. He will miss their matches against Scotland, Hungary and Russia.

A Serbian FA statement said: “After regular testing on Covid-19, performed on Monday upon the arrival of representative team players to the Serbian FA in Stara Pazova, the result for [the] captain of Crystal Palace Milivojevic came up positive.

“In accordance with UEFA medical regulations and protocols, Luka Milivojevic left the sports centre immediately after receiving the result and remained in Serbia in self-isolation at home.

“The day after he has undergone another control test, which also came up positive. He will stay in Serbia in accordance with current laws of the Republic of Serbia related with the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Crystal Palace put out a statement. It said: “Luka Milivojevic has tested positive for Covid-19 whilst on international duty with Serbia. As a result, he will remain in self-isolation in Serbia in accordance with current laws. Luka is currently well and asymptomatic.”

Milivojevic is one game into a three-match domestic ban for his red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers two weeks ago.

The Premier League requires players who test positive for coronavirus to return a negative test resule before they begin training again.