Just 35 minutes before kick-off of Ireland's European Championships playoff against Slovakia in Bratislava, the FAI confirmed that a second member of Stephen Kenny's Ireland backroom team has tested positive for Covid-19.
In a statement, it was said:
"The Football Association of Ireland can confirm that a second member of the Senior Men’s international team backroom staff has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of tonight’s UEFA EURO 2020 Play-Off Semi-Final against Slovakia.
"The FAI employee had tested negative in Dublin on Tuesday morning but a positive result came from a test in Bratislava on Wednesday. He is asymptomatic and is feeling well.
"COVID-19 protocols have been executed and both UEFA and the HSE have been informed of this development. UEFA have also confirmed that the fixture against Slovakia tonight is not affected by this development. The Ireland squad and staff will be tested, as per UEFA protocols, in Dublin on Friday.
"The FAI will not make any further comment ahead of tonight’s UEFA EURO 2020 Play-Off Semi-Final against Slovakia."
In an interview with Sky Sports before the game, Stephen Kenny revealed that neither Aaron Connolly nor Adam Idah will be on the bench against Slovakia. That is despite both being named in the teamsheet which the FAI published before the match.
The FAI confirmed on Tuesday that the first backroom team member had tested positive for Covid-19.
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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