Five Ireland Players Out of Wales Clash After Positive COVID-19 Test

Five Republic of Ireland players have pulled out of the squad to face Wales in the Nations League, after the FAI confirmed that one player has tested positive for COVID-19.

The incident is unrelated to a positive test within the camp last week, which caused Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah to withdraw on Thursday.

On the new case, the Irish FA said in a statement: "A player – who cannot be named at this time - tested positive on Friday after a negative test on Monday but his case is not related in any way to that of the backroom team member who tested positive on Monday last.

"Talks with the HSE [Health and Safety Executive] late last night identified four other players as close contacts of this positive case and they have been stood down from the matchday squad for today’s game against Wales."

Ireland did not confirm which players have withdrawn, but The Guardian report that John Egan, Callum Robinson, Callum O’Dowda and Alan Browne were the close contacts in question. All four are absent from the squad to face Wales.

On the previous positive case, the Irish FA statement goes on to note that the staff member in question may have received a 'false positive' test.

"In a separate development, the FAI can now reveal that the staff member who tested positive for COVID-19 in Bratislava on Wednesday, may have received a ‘false positive’ result," the statement goes on.

"Two further tests carried out on the individual on Saturday have confirmed no trace of COVID-19. The HSE and UEFA have been informed of this result. The FAI will now discuss the issue with UEFA.

"In light of these developments, the FAI wishes to make it clear that it complied with all UEFA and HSE COVID-19 guidelines concerning the availability of players and the well-being of staff around the Slovakia v Republic of Ireland fixture in Bratislava on Thursday night."