Five Irish players to miss clash with Wales due to Covid-19

A Republic of Ireland player has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of this afternoon’s Nations League match against Wales.

The player in question tested negative for the virus on Monday, before returning a positive test on Friday.

Four other players, who have been identified as close contacts with the individual, have been stood down from Sunday’s match, according to a UEFA statement.

It also adds that this case is not related to the member of backroom staff who tested positive last week in Bratislava.

The FAI say it is possible the staff member “may have received a ‘false positive’ result”.

The full UEFA statement read: “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.

“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.”