Five Republic of Ireland players have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus a few hours before their UEFA Nations League match against Wales today, October 11.
The match is scheduled to hold in Ireland at 14:00 and it will go on as planned despite the number of players that the Ireland national team must drop ahead of the game.
Recall that on Friday, the Football Association of Ireland announced that a player of the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Hence, the 5 cases that were reported today bring the number of confirmed cases in the Ireland squad to 6 within three days.
Besides those who have tested positive for the virus, Ireland has been mandated to drop four members of the squad ahead of the match because they were in close contact with those that have been confirmed positive for COVID-19.
Though the names of the players who have been confirmed to be carriers of the virus were not revealed, players like Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah have been identified as two among the four players that were in close contact with those who have the virus.
It is however possible for the players to return to Ireland’s squad ahead of today’s game because the head coach of the country’s national team Stephen Kenny has appealed to the medical team of the country’s FA that they should reverse their decision to keep the duo out of the team. The duo has been out of the squad since Wednesday before the team’s Euro 2020 playoffs against Slovakia which ended 4-2 (after penalty shootouts) in favor of Slovakia.
Coach Stephen Kenny might have it extremely difficult when he comes against Ryan Giggs‘ led Wales national team today. Kenny needs to win the match because the country has managed to win one game out of two Nations League matches which have kept the country on the 3rd spot in Group H of League B. While Wales are topping the group with 6 perfect points.
Besides Republic of Ireland players, Ashley Young tested positive for Coronavirus
Meanwhile, former Manchester United Defender, Ashley Young, has tested positive for coronavirus according to a statement from his current club, Inter Milan.
The Italian club announced that the former England international tested positive for the virus on Saturday after a regular test routine at the club’s soccer training ground.
The 28-year-old defender who has been enjoying regular game time at Inter Milan since the commencement of the 2020-2021 season will have to miss the Milan derby this coming weekend as he has to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
“FC Internazionale Milano announces that Ashley Young tested positive for Covid-19 following a test carried out yesterday (Saturday) in Appiano Gentile”, a statement from the Italian club said.
“The English footballer is already in quarantine at his home.”
