体坛英语新闻：Virus affects nine River Plate players

BUENOS AIRES, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Nine players from Argentina's River Plate contracted a virus in the last few hours which has caused acute stomach problems, according to the soccer club.

The club said apparently the players caught the virus during a visit to Uruguay on Monday where River lost 4-1 in a friendly against Montevideo's Penarol which served as the inauguration of Penarol's brand new stadium.

Colombia's defender Eder Alvarez Balanta, midfielder Nicolas Domingo and forwards Lucas Alario and Uruguay's Rodrigo Mora, who normally are among the clubs starting 11, coached by Marcelo Gallardo, are among the affected.

Also Leandro Vega, Milton Casco, Joaquin Arzura, Sebastian Driussi and Uruguay's Camilo Mayada are having the same symptoms.

And if this was not enough, goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero and defender Emanuel Mammana were injured during the match against Penarol.

Fortunately, Gabriel Mercado and Leonel Vangioni will rejoin the team in training on Thursday after playing for Argentina in the World Cup Russia 2018 South American qualifiers.

In light of the casualties, River's leaders are evaluating the possibility of asking for the upcoming match against Parana's Patronato to be postponed. The match would be played away from home and would be the ninth match in Argentina's first division tournament.