Linfield's Champions League tie postponed due to Covid-19 'issues'

Less than two hours before David Healy's Irish League champions were scheduled to play the Kosovan side in Nyon this evening (kick-off 5pm), it was confirmed that a second player from Drita tested positive for Covid-19.

In a statement, UEFA explained the match would not go ahead and revealed the entire FC Drita team has been put into quarantine.

"Following a decision taken by the Swiss health authorities in cooperation with UEFA to put the whole team of KF Drita (KOS) into quarantine after a second player from the Kosovo side had tested positive for COVID-19, the upcoming UEFA Champions League preliminary round match between KF Drita and Linfield FC (NIR) – scheduled for on 11 August at 18:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland – cannot be played.

"The player, who tested positive yesterday (Monday 10 August) had previously produced a negative test for COVID-19 on Friday 7 August as part of the comprehensive testing system put into place by UEFA in accordance with the UEFA Return to Play Protocol and approved by the local authorities in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.

"The whole team of KF Drita had also tested negative prior to their arrival in Switzerland.

"On Friday, in a separate case, a player from KF Drita returned a positive result for COVID-19 following testing on the eve of their match against Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND) in accordance with the UEFA’s above-mentioned protocol.

"This player was put into quarantine, together with one teammate after tracing found he had come into close contact with the affected player.

"This second positive test of a player who was in contact with other members of the delegation over the last days has prompted the Swiss authorities to put the whole Kosovan team into quarantine. Accordingly, the upcoming fixture cannot be played."

Linfield will now await a decision from UEFA who have asked clubs to 'fully respect the UEFA Return to Play Protocol'.

"The matter will now be submitted to the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body, for a decision to be taken in accordance with Annex I of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League regulations, which was approved by the UEFA Executive Committee last week.

"UEFA would like to reinforce the importance for all teams, players, officials and all those involved to fully respect the UEFA Return to Play Protocol."

A statement issued by Linfield read: "The club has been advised by UEFA that this evening's Champions League Preliminary Round tie against FC Drita has been postponed due to Covid 19 issues within the Kosovan team. Further details will follow once we hear the outcome from UEFA's Disciplinary body."