Li Tie says China footballers left 'anxious, homesick' by coronavirus

China coach Li Tie has revealed the psychological toll coronavirus took on the national football squad during a five-week training camp prolonged by the pandemic.

Li’s men spent much of March in Dubai, where many Chinese Super League (CSL) teams also took refuge, before returning home when the outbreak began to subside in China.

Chinese media previously reported that the squad were mentally fatigued by a combination of practice, quarantine and being away from their families for so long at a difficult time.

Coronavirus emerged in central China in December before spreading worldwide and has torpedoed football seasons – and sport in general – all over the globe.

“With the epidemic situation in Dubai worsening every day, the number of guests in our hotel was decreasing day by day,” Li told Chinese television.