CELTIC’S SHANE DUFFY captained Ireland last night as Stephen Kenny’s side played Slovakia in the EURO2020 Play-Off semi-final. The Irish went out on penalties after a draw in 120 minutes of football in Bratislava.
Celtic supporters may have feared for Shane Duffy, who played 120 minutes, being forced to self-isolate like Ryan Christie had to when on Scotland duty. Celtic have already lost Christie and Odsonne Edouard for the game against Rangers on October 17 and it was with relief that Duffy avoided infection.
Two players Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah were forced to miss the game due to being identified as close contacts with the physio that tested positive. RTE reported on the news shortly before kick-off saying that two members of the travelling party had been struck down by the virus.
The FAI have confirmed that a second member of the Republic of Ireland backroom team has tested positive for Covid-19 https://t.co/MyQDmU4ukF
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 8, 2020
Ireland appealed the decision but UEFA were adamant that the pair could not play. It is bewildering why the games are going ahead at this moment in time when it involves various players coming out of COVID-19 secure bubbles and meeting in a larger bubble, risking exposure.
