The Republic of Ireland will be without FIVE players for Sunday’s Nations League clash vs Wales after one member of the squad tested positive for coronavirus.
The Football Association of Ireland confirmed one unnamed player tested positive on Friday following the squad’s return from Slovakia after a negative test on Monday, and four others deemed to be close contacts on Saturday night have since been stood down.
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An FAI statement said: “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.”
Kenny has had to alter his plans accordingly having already lost Connolly and Idah, as well as injury victims David McGoldrick, Seamus Coleman, Harry Arter and Darragh Lenihan.
In a fresh twist, the FAI also confirmed that Connolly, who would have started the game, and Idah could have played in Bratislava after all, where Ireland suffered a 4-2 defeat on penalties following a goalless draw.
The pair were withdrawn after a non-football member of staff tested positive following the squad’s arrival in Slovakia when it emerged that they had been sitting within two metres of him on the flight over.
However, it has since emerged that that test may have produced a ‘false positive’ result.
The statement continued: “In a separate development, the FAI can now reveal that the staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bratislava on Wednesday, may have received a ‘false positive’ result.
“Two further tests carried out on the individual on Saturday have confirmed no trace of COVID-19. The HSE and UEFA have been informed of this result. The FAI will now discuss the issue with UEFA.
“In light of these developments, the FAI wishes to make it clear that it complied with all UEFA and HSE COVID-19 guidelines concerning the availability of players and the well-being of staff around the Slovakia v Republic of Ireland fixture in Bratislava on Thursday night.”
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