One of Matt Doherty’s Republic of Ireland teammates has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their Nations League match against Wales, the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed (via Sky Sports).
Ireland suffered heartbreak on Thursday as they were beaten in a penalty shootout by Slovakia in a Euro qualifier, with Doherty missing the spot-kick that sent his side crashing out.
Steven Kelly’s side did not have much time to dwell on the result as they went straight into Nations League action against Wales in Dublin this afternoon.
However, the players learned before the game that one of their teammates had tested positive for COVID-19 thus ruling him out of today’s game.
The report reveals that the player in question tested negative on Monday before returning a positive test on Friday.
While the identity of the player who tested positive is not revealed, four other players in John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne, have also been ruled out of Sunday’s match for being in close contact with the man in question.
It does not look as though Spurs have anything to worry about as Doherty was named in the starting line up this afternoon.
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The statement from the FIA reads: “Stephen Kenny’s Ireland squad has received one positive COVID-19 test result ahead of today’s Nations League game against Wales at the Aviva Stadium, after the latest round of UEFA testing.
“A player – who cannot be named at this time – tested positive on Friday after a negative test on Monday but his case is not related in any way to that of the backroom team member who tested positive on Monday last.
“Talks with the HSE late last night identified four other players as close contacts of this positive case and they have been stood down from the matchday squad for today’s game against Wales.”
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