Foreign stars laud China's virus resolve

After traveling across the globe to find safe places to train for the past few months, Chinese Super League clubs now realize returning home is their next best move.

It has been an unusual offseason to say the least for CSL clubs due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. The start of the 2020 season has been delayed indefinitely and teams have encountered unprecedented difficulties in organizing training sessions.

Most clubs chose to train abroad after Spring Festival, but as the virus outbreak has become a global pandemic, several teams have made their way back to China where the situation is now under control.

Defending CSL champion Guangzhou Evergrande returned home from Dubai last week. PP Sports reported that all Evergrande's players were retested for the virus and, as per government regulations for overseas arrivals, have begun a two-week quarantine.

Evergrande head coach Fabio Cannavaro discussed the coronavirus crisis in his native Italy and China in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday.

"Here in China they are succeeding. We are going towards normality," said the former Juventus and Italy defender.

"And this is the message that must reach the whole world. Because the coronavirus spares no one in every corner of the planet, but it can be beaten by joining forces. By acting as a community."

The 46-year-old's own experiences have left him impressed by China's thorough approach to the crisis.

"As soon as I arrived they swabbed me－for me it was the third one－and measured my temperature," Cannavaro said. "Then I had to sign a form stating where I'd been for the last month and whether I'd been in contact with infected people.

"At that point, as happens to everyone who enters the country from abroad, at least those who come from places already affected by the virus, you are quarantined for two weeks. If you have a place to stay, otherwise they will put you up in hotels equipped to guarantee isolation."

Cannavaro believes China's virus-prevention policies are "a clear lesson to the world".

"This must be the positive message for us Italians and the rest of the world. We can eradicate this evil but we need severity and a great organization," he said. "The Chinese are a great people we must admire. A billion and a half people understood what they had to do to save themselves."

At the time of writing, Italy counted 24,747 total infections with 1,809 deaths. The outbreak has resulted in the postponement of Serie A, with Europe's other major soccer leagues quickly following suit.

Cannavaro says many Italians remain complacent toward the dangers of COVID-19.

"I'll give you a personal example. My dad tends not to understand that he has to change his habits for his and the family's sake," he explained. "He has to buy cigarettes from the tobacconist so he can have a chat with his friends in the shop. I've made him understand that he's in danger of being infected and then to take it home to my mother.

"Those who think they're immortal must know that this virus does not discriminate. It affects everyone. You see what's happening with the epidemic even among footballers. Besides, you all have parents, grandparents, if you infect them, they'll have a hard time finding a place in the intensive care unit to be saved."

Shanghai Shenhua striker Stephan El Shaarawy has also called on his native Italy to draw on China's experience in the fight against COVID-19.

"Italy can learn from China's experience in fighting against the pandemic," El Shaarawy, who has donated to the virus relief effort, wrote on his Instagram account.

"I am far away from my motherland now, but I will always keep a close eye on the latest developments. Seeing that my country is facing difficulties, I feel heartbroken. I miss my family, friends and other people who are going through frustrating times."

However, the 27-year-old former Roma ace added: "I am optimistic about the future because I see the situation in China is improving, and the country's success is mainly due to all citizens taking their own responsibility.

"I hope Italian people can do the same. Obeying regulations of epidemic prevention lays the foundation for the final victory. Now Italy needs more unity than ever."