SLOVAKIA have been rocked by the news of a coronavirus outbreak in their squad just 24 hours before their game with Sweden.
Lazio defender Denis Vavro, 25, and one member have staff have both returned positive tests for Covid-19.
Boss Stefan Tarkovic has confirmed neither showed any symptoms and both are feeling well.
Slovakia take on Sweden in their second Group E game on Friday following their 2-1 win over Poland on Monday – in which Vavro failed to make it off the bench.
But they now risk rescheduling after an outbreak of Covid in the squad was confirmed.
Tarkovic has played down talk of pushing the game back – with Uefa protocol allowing the game to be played in the subsequent 48 hours should they have 13 or fewer healthy players.
The Slovakia chief claims his team did all the could to avoid the spread of infection and fully expect to play Friday’s game with Sweden – who drew their tournament-opener with Spain 0-0 despite having just 15 per cent of the ball.
Tarkovic revealed: “We started to work with the Russian public health authorities and started to apply the corresponding Uefa protocol.
“So we took all the steps to avoid the spread of the infection.”
Should Slovakia wish to call up a replacement for Vavro, they would have to cut one player from their squad to keep it at a maximum of 26, as per Uefa rules.
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At the weekend, Portugal were rocked by the news Joao Cancelo had tested positive for Covid.
The Manchester City star was ruled out of the Euros, replaced by Diogo Dalot.
A week earlier, Sergio Busquests and Diego Llorente tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the entire squad to isolate as a result.
Jasper Cillessen was axed by Holland boss Frank de Boer after his positive test shortly before the tournament.
Russia’s Andrey Mostovoy was also withdrawn after his Covid test returned a positive result.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
