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Football

06th Oct 2020

Republic of Ireland backroom team member tests positive for Covid-19

SportsJOE

A backroom team member on the Ireland national team has tested positive for Covid-19.

Three staff members have had to restrict their movements after a positive coronavirus test was discovered in the Republic of Ireland camp.

Stephen Kenny’s squad will travel to Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon for the Euro 2020 qualifying playoff but plans for the wider backroom team have been disrupted.

One positive test saw two close contacts – also backroom team members – tested but their results have since returned negative. The three involved are all asymptomatic and the FAI have released a statement confirming the news.

‘The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that a member of the international team backroom staff has tested positive for Coronavirus.

‘COVID-19 protocols have now been executed and contact tracing has resulted in two additional staff members now restricting their movements. All three backroom staff members are asymptomatic and are well. The two close contacts have tested negative. All players, management team and other backroom staff members have also tested negative.

‘Public Health has been informed and have written to the FAI confirming compliance with public health advice and permission for the squad, coaching staff and the rest of the backroom team to travel to Slovakia this afternoon.’