Portsmouth - struck down by coronavirus but leading football in healthy honesty

The following morning, Pompey threw open their doors with the admission three first-team players had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

No Premier League or Football League club has suffered as much devastation at the hands of the global pandemic, at least in terms of public consciousness.

Whether others prefer to maintain an in-house approach following similar concerning developments is unknown.

Still, Haji Mnoga was later unveiled by Pompey as the fourth infected player, joining James Bolton, Andy Cannon and Sean Raggett.

For Catlin, during such deeply worrying times it remains imperative to deal with openness and transparency.

The Blues’ chief executive said: ‘We have a saying internally at the club – we can’t control the virus, but we can control the communication.

‘I think in times like this it is absolutely vital we remain transparent and honest.

‘Obviously there are issues around the confidentiality of players affected, but all four were quite happy for me to get that information out because that’s something, as a club, we pride ourselves on.

‘In these times of uncertainty, you must have a degree of certainty.

‘I cannot speak for other clubs, but would like to think when we say something our fans know it’s true.

‘We got the news very late on Friday night. I spoke to Kenny (Jackett) and individually we talked to the players. I then spoke to Neil Weld (media manager) that same night to get all of our ducks in a line for an early release on Saturday morning.

‘During this period, what you don’t want is for it to get out before the club have had a chance to release it.

‘You want the facts rather than it start to become rumour and conjecture. At this time it’s vitally important everyone listens to the official sources.’

Since Thursday, Pompey have received the outcome of coronavirus testing over three batches.

Of the 48 players, backroom staff and club staff tested on Monday, there are 10 results still outstanding.

That means 34 have so far returned clear, among them Catlin, while four are positive for coronavirus.

Yet before those results were revealed to supporters, Pompey’s chief executive firstly contacted several recent opponents.

He added: ‘Before the news broke publicly, I contacted the clubs we have recently played – Peterborough and Fleetwood.

‘There was also Arsenal. I know that game was at the start of this month, but they were very, very good in keeping us informed of what was going on there (with Mikel Arteta) so I thought it was the right thing to do.

‘All you can do is give these clubs the information, how they react is down to them as clubs and individuals.

‘There is also a regulatory obligation to inform Public Health England of any cases for their records, while I also spoke to Rick Parry at the EFL, who has been very supportive.’