ENGLAND have been given special Government permission to play their Nations League clash with Iceland at Wembley next week.
The FA have successfully persuaded health officials to make an exception to their universal travel ban from anyone travelling to the UK from Denmark because of a mutated form of Covid-19.
England vs Iceland is set to take place in London next weekCredit: Getty
The FA have got the green light from the Government to play it at WembleyCredit: PA:Press Association
It means the Iceland team WILL be allowed entry to the country to play the match on November 18 having taken on Denmark just three days earlier.
SunSport revealed last week how the game was in doubt because of the new regulations imposed in a rush last Saturday denying any non-British nationals entry if they were travelling from Denmark.
The FA have been locked in talks with the government ever since.
But with a review of the regulations not planned until Saturday they had started to make plans to play the fixture in Germany.
But the Department of Transport have agreed a limited exemption for a ‘small number’ of Danish and Icelandic footballers to travel back from Copenhagen without the need to isolate.
That means Gareth Southgate’s side will now be able to conclude their Nations League campaign.
They were previously at risk of having to forfeit the match had they not been able to play.
And it is believed any Denmark players who feature for clubs in England will also be cleared to return to be available for the resumption of the domestic season next weekend.
The Government have accepted the public plea from the FA earlier today which offered to carry out enhanced testing to ensure safety from the new form of coronavirus entering the country.
They sought assurances that anyone involved in the Icelandic ‘bubble’ would be limited to staying with their group in hotels and at Wembley.
A DofT statement said: “The Government has also announced a limited exemption for a small number of Danish and Icelandic national football players to travel from the UK to Copenhagen and back, without the need to self-isolate, to take part in upcoming international football fixtures.
“This temporary and extremely limited exemption will allow the relevant players and essential staff support to be exempt from the new requirements and will help reduce any disruption for England’s up and coming Nations League fixtures. “
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
