UEFA seeks player exemptions from quarantine after travel

All 55 European national teams are scheduled to travel around the continent to begin Nations League qualifying between September 3 and 8.

Published : Aug 19, 2020 22:13 IST , Geneva

UEFA is the only one among FIFA’s six continental governing bodies not to postpone national team games in early September.
UEFA is the only one among FIFA’s six continental governing bodies not to postpone national team games in early September.
lightbox-info

UEFA is the only one among FIFA’s six continental governing bodies not to postpone national team games in early September.

Ahead of national team games around Europe in two weeks, UEFA urged its member federations on Wednesday to ask governments to exempt footballers from quarantine after travel.

All 55 European national teams are scheduled to travel around the continent to begin Nations League qualifying between September 3 and 8.

"Players coming from foreign clubs might be at risk of quarantine measures upon their return to their country of residence,” UEFA said.

Days later, dozens of international players are set to play on the opening weekends of the Premier League and Spanish league.

"Associations were encouraged to approach their governments to seek exemptions for players and team members,” the European soccer body said after hosting a conference call with soccer officials from the 55 member countries.

"The fact that players will anyway be regularly tested as part of the comprehensive UEFA Return to Play Protocol should ensure that such exemptions do not represent any risk for society.”

UEFA is the only one among FIFA’s six continental governing bodies not to postpone national team games in early September.

WATCH |

Neutral venue countries could step in if “current domestic conditions could put the staging of the match in jeopardy,” UEFA said.

UEFA-organized games in August were affected by visiting players being quarantined by local public authorities.

Kosovo champion Drita forfeited a preliminary round Champions League game last week in Switzerland when local health officials intervened after two players tested positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Slovakian club Slovan Bratislava's game in the Faeroe Islands against KI Klaksvik was postponed because of concerns about exposure to the virus.

UEFA said it hopes to use the Super Cup game in Budapest on September 24 as a pilot for returning fans to stadiums for its games. The game will pair the winners of the Champions League and Europa League.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment