Two Sligo Rovers players out of trip to Iceland due to Covid-19

Results from full round of PCR testing will determine if they can fulfil the fixture

Sligo Rovers face FH Hafnarfjordur in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier in Iceland on Thursday. File photograph: Evan Logan/Inpho
Sligo Rovers face FH Hafnarfjordur in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier in Iceland on Thursday. File photograph: Evan Logan/Inpho

Sligo Rovers preparations for the Europa Conference League qualifier in Iceland on Thursday have been disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak in the region.

One Sligo player tested positive ahead of the first leg away to FH Hafnarfjordur on Thursday while another player is deemed a close contact. These are unrelated incidents.

Neither player will travel with the team on Tuesday morning with the club awaiting results from a full round of PCR testing on Monday night. These results will determine if Liam Buckley’s men can fulfil a fixture worth at least €150,000, with a minimum of €3.6 million in prize money going to sides that reach the Europa League proper.

“One player has tested positive for Covid-19,” said Sligo Rovers in a statement. “The case has been traced to outside of the football club.

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“The player has no contacts within the football club. A second player continues to test negative for Covid-19. However, he has been deemed a close contact of a case outside of the football club and will self-isolate this week as per protocols.

Both players have complied fully with Covid-19 guidelines throughout.

“All other players are negative and are not impacted. The squad were tested again this morning which is part of standard protocols. Results will arrive before departure for Iceland. The squad will also undergo testing in Iceland before returning to Ireland as per protocols.”

Sligo also plans to welcome 400 fans back to the Showgrounds for the second leg on July 15th.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent