World News – GB – Five Irish players withdrew from Wales game due to Covid-19

John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne have reportedly been dismissed from their posts

Five players were excluded from the Republic of Ireland Nations League clash with Wales on Sunday afternoon after one of them tested positive for coronavirus

The Irish Football Association confirmed that an unnamed player tested positive on Friday after the Slovakia team returned after testing negative on Monday, and four others considered close contacts on Saturday night – the agency PA press understands these are John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne – have since been removed from their posts

An FAI statement said: « Stephen Kenny’s Irish side tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Nations League match against Wales at Aviva Stadium, after the final round of UEFA tests

« One player – who cannot be named at the moment – tested positive on Friday after testing negative on Monday, but his case is in no way related to that of the backroom team member who was tested positive last Monday

« Discussions with HSE late at night identified four other players as close contacts of this positive case and they were kicked off the day’s squad for today’s game against the Country of Wales »

The news comes three days after forwards Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah withdrew from the squad – Connolly was due to start – hours before the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final with Slovakia, which Ireland have lost 4 -2 on penalties

The move came after a non-football staff member tested positive in Bratislava as both players sat next to him on the flight from Dublin

The statement continues: « In another development, the FAI can now reveal that the staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday in Bratislava, may have received a ‘false positive’ result

« Two more tests carried out on the individual on Saturday did not confirm any trace of COVID-19 HSE and UEFA have been informed of this result The FAI will now discuss the matter with UEFA

« In light of these developments, the FAI would like to clarify that it has complied with all UEFA and HSE COVID-19 guidelines regarding player availability and the welfare of staff around of the Slovakia v Republic of Ireland match in Bratislava on Thursday evening « 

This development has left coach Stephen Kenny facing a major reshuffle ahead of the Wales game and the trip to Finland that follows on Wednesday night

The statement read: « Manager Stephen Kenny to review his options for Wednesday’s UEFA Nations League game in Finland following today’s game against Wales FAI to review all COVID-19 protocols with UEFA and HSE after Finland game « 

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Republic of Ireland national football team, UEFA Nations League, Wales, Stephen Kenny, Aaron Connolly