PSV-Ajax still scheduled for Sunday despite active tuberculosis case, says Dutch FA

The KNVB have thus far seen no reason to call off the top-of-the-table clash between Ajax and PSV. The Dutch Football Association reported this in a short update to ANP. The question was asked after it was revealed that Lucas Perez, a 36-year-old PSV player from Spain, has active tuberculosis. “We have spoken to both clubs, and there is no reason to assume that the match will not continue,” said a spokesperson for the KNVB.

PSV is conducting source and contact tracing together with the GGD Brabant-Zuidoost. The results of this test are expected to come at the end of the week. A PSV spokesperson emphasized on Tuesday that there no clues to indicated that people in the nearby vicinity of Perez have been infected. The club is conducting check ups of all the people who are close to the Spaniard.

“The risk of infection in the patient’s surroundings is limited. There is no danger of infection outdoors,” lung doctor Pascal Wielders, who works for GGD Brabant-Zuidoost, said on PSV’s website.

PSV signed Perez at the end of February to replace Ricardo Pepi, who had gotten injured. The striker’s most recent club was Deportivo La Coruña. His previous clubs included Cadiz, Elche, Deportivo Alaves, West Ham United, and Arsenal. It is unclear how long the 36-year-old will be out of action and whether he can play for PSV before the end of the year. He is currently feeling healthy, said PSV on Monday.

The match between PSV and Ajax is integral to the Dutch championship race. Ajax are currently top of the table with a six point gap to PSV. A win for the Amsterdammers in the Philips stadium on Sunday would mean that the title is highly likely to go to Amsterdam. The game will be played at 2:30 p.m.