China's national football team to return home in coming days

BEIJING -- The Chinese national football team has announced that it is expected to return to China in a few days' time, scotching rumors that Beijing had rejected its request to come home amid coronavirus containment measures.

The Chinese squad, which has been training in Dubai since March 4, issued a statement on Sunday on its official Weibo account dismissing the allegations.

"Some internet media reported recently that the national team was stranded in Dubai after its entry request had been rejected by Beijing. These rumors are unfounded," the statement read.

The statement added that the team is set to return to China in a few days, along with other sports teams.

Concerns were raised over the well-being of the Chinese squad after star striker Wu Lei was found to have tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.

Wu, who plays for Spanish side Espanyol and did not attend the training camp, appeared on a video on the same day smiling and confirming that he had been quarantined.