COVID-19 breached the Indian ladies’s soccer group’s bio-security bubble right here on Wednesday forward of the AFC Asian Cup with two gamers testing optimistic for the virus, forcing the organisers to shift them to a medical facility for isolation.
“Two members of the Indian Women’s Senior National Team for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 have tested positive for COVID-19, and are currently in isolation at a designated medical care facility,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) tweeted.
“The AIFF prioritises the health and safety of its players, and are following all,” the organising federation wrote in one other tweet.
The AIFF prioritises the well being and security of its gamers, and are following all the required well being protocols as have been laid down by the AFC. (2/2)
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 19, 2022
One of the gamers would have featured within the beginning XI within the marketing campaign opener in opposition to Iran, a supply near the AIFF mentioned.
The two optimistic instances is not going to threaten the match as AIFF president Praful Patel on Monday mentioned that matches is not going to be cancelled if 13 gamers can be found in every of the 2 competing groups.
Patel, who can also be the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), mentioned that contingency plans have been put in place to take care of any scenario in case collaborating group members are contaminated by the virus.
“The affected player or players will be isolated but the teams will be fielded as long as 13 players (in each team) are available,” mentioned Patel.
All the 12 collaborating groups have named 23-member squads for the match.
The match assumes significance because the top-five finishers will guide a spot within the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. India are grouped with China, Chinese Taipei and Iran in Group A.
Due to the continued pandemic, strict well being and security protocols have been put in place for the match. All the 12 collaborating groups are staying inside a strict bio-bubble and everybody concerned within the match, together with all gamers and officers are required to endure common COVID-19 checks.
All the workers working within the group resorts will even be within the bio-bubble and won’t bodily work together with anybody outdoors the bubble. Same goes for the bus drivers who will ferry the groups for coaching and matches. They have additionally been supplied lodging contained in the bubble.
