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      Former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet tests positive for coronavirus as Covid-19 rips through Club Bruges

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      FORMER Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has tested positive for coronavirus.
      The ex-Reds stopper is one of four Club Bruges staff members to contract Covid-19 as the virus rips through the Belgian club.

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      Simon Mignolet has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bruges are scheduled to play Zenit Saint Petersburg away in the Champions League tomorrow but the news plunges the clash into jeopardy.

      Players Odilon Kossounou, Michael Krmencik and CEO Vincent Mannaert are the other three people to test positive.
      A club statement read: “On Saturday morning, the entire Bruges delegation was tested for Covid-19 in anticipation of the European match in and against Saint Petersburg.

      “Internationals Simon Mignolet and Odilon Kossounou and attacker Michael Krmencik tested positive.
      “CEO Vincent Mannaert also passed a positive corona test.
      “Last Thursday, the entire squad was tested via the Jupiler Pro League protocol, when everyone else tested negative.
      “The foursome will be quarantined with immediate effect and will therefore not travel to Russia. None of them show symptoms.”

      Bruges are also in Champions League Group F alongside Borussia Dortmund and Lazio.

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      But is unclear whether the positive results will affect tomorrow’s scheduled match in Russia.
      They are also top of the Belgian top flight and are scheduled to play seventh place Leuven on Saturday.
      Mignolet, 32, played both of his country’s recent Nations League games after ex-Chelsea goalie Thibaut Courtois was ruled out with a hip injury.
      The Red Devils lost 2-1 to England at Wembley before they beat Iceland by the same scoreline.

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      EFL clubs threaten to withhold taxes in desperate attempt to secure Government bailout after coronavirus hell

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      EFL clubs are threatening to refuse to pay their taxes this week — unless the Government bails them out.
      The revolutionary plan to get emergency financial aid was discussed at a meeting between hard-up teams.

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      EFL clubs are threatening to refuse to pay their taxes this week unless the Government bails them outCredit: PA:Press Association

      A monthly PAYE tax payment is due by each of the EFL’s 72 clubs to HMRC on Thursday but there is a plot for ALL owners to band together and refuse.
      It has been brewing for weeks and was on the table at a ring-round of executives and chairmen last week.
      A hardcore band of Championship chiefs are behind the idea, however many clubs in League One and League Two are happy to join in.
      It will need teams to stick together — but the mood within the ranks is that they are now simply desperate for cash.

      The ultimate punishment for clubs who do not pay tax is a winding-up order.
      One leading mover in the plot said: “It is the nuclear option but we are at this stage if there is no help from the Government or Premier League.
      “If we all do not pay, the Government can dish out winding-up orders on each of us — and shut the industry if they want.“But that would not be a good look.”
      The EFL is enduring the biggest crisis in its history, with supporters banned from grounds due to Covid-19. Yet players and staff have been back on full salaries and the tax is due.

      Many clubs were using the furlough scheme to help — however now the game is up and running that has gone.
      Many are struggling to pay HMRC anyway, but others think this is a chance to make a stand and bring the Government back to the table.
      The Premier League were told to help out, yet offers so far have fallen well below the request for £250million.
      There is anger among the clubs and that was shown when League One and League Two rejected an immediate grant worth around £400,000 each last week.
      The solidarity shown with that decision — due to Championship teams being offered nothing — is now set to carry on to the looming showdown with the tax man.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo urges fans to ditch sweets, eat vegetables and soak up some sunshine in bid to survive coronavirus

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has urged fans to ‘respect but not fear’ coronavirus in his first comments since testing positive on Tuesday.
      The 35-year-old also extolled the virtues of sunbathing as he hit back at claims he had breached protocol by flying to Italy on Wednesday.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo has urged fans to eat healthy and sunbatheCredit: Instagram / @cristiano

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      The Portuguese mega-star is currently isolating with coronavirusCredit: Instagram / @cristiano

      On an Instagram Live addressing the importance of developing a strong immune system, he said: “The sun helps a lot.
      “People don’t have that perception, but it does a lot of good.
      “When I get the chance, I do some sunbathing. In Turin it is more difficult, but I always try to get 20 or 30 minutes of sunshine.

      “I love being on my terrace soaking up the sun, it’s very important.
      “Having high vitamin C and D, with high levels, Selenium, Omega 3, eating well and properly, doing sport.
      “A lot of people don’t like it but just walking is important . And sleeping well, having a good night’s sleep is the best medicine.
      “With everything off, no lights on. Thank God I sleep well every night, always eight or nine hours a day. Invest in it, it is essential.

      “Eat well, lots of vegetables, lots of greens and don’t abuse sweets to have a strong immune system.”

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      He added: “In my next Instagram Live I will give my opinion and my point of view on what I have been studying in the last years.
      “I wish you all health and urge you not to be afraid of the virus and face the reality, but respect it.”
      He also hit back at Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadaforo who had claimed earlier in the week he believed Ronaldo may have broken coronavirus protocol by jetting to Italy from Portugal in an air ambulance 24 hours after he tested positive.
      The former Manchester United star said: “I did not break any protocol.

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club
      “They’re saying that I broke Italian laws but it’s all a lie.
      “I spoke with my team and we have the responsibility to do things right.
      “Everything was done with authorisation. Principally for the Italian man whose name I’m not going to say, it’s a lie, I abided by all the protocols.”
      Earlier in the day Cristiano’s mum Dolores Aveiro revealed the Juventus striker was “doing well.”
      Speaking before Cristiano showed off his ripped body by his pool in a social media photo, she told Portuguese daily Correio da Manha: “He’s doing well, thank God.
      “Unfortunately I can’t be with him but I’m supporting him from a distance.”
      Ronaldo also confirmed he was living on a separate floor to the rest of his family at his mansion in Turin.
      Speaking while his kids were at school, he said: “I’m on one floor and my children are on another. For the next ten days it’s going to be like that.
      “It’s difficult not to be in contact with them, but we have to respect the rules.”

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister labels Juventus star a ‘prophet from god’ and questions positive coronavirus test result

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S sister Katia has appeared to rubbish his positive coronavirus test in a bizarre rant shared by the siblings’ mum.
      The Brazilian-based social media influencer also dubbed her footballer brother a ‘prophet from God’ in her attack.

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      Katia appears to be dismissive that her brother Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirus

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      These are the messages, written in Portuguese, that Katia shared on social media – her and Cristiano’s mother Dolores also shared them

      She vented her rage after it emerged the 35-year-old Juventus forward had asked another lab to test him for covid after two positives at the laboratory the Portuguese FA use.
      Another non-lab test after his first positive is said to have come back inconclusive.
      The former Manchester United star, 35, has left Portugal in an air ambulance to continue his self-isolation at his Turin home.
      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      The 35-year-old’s jet left Tires Airport in Cascais near Lisbon around 1.45pm local time.
      Mystery surrounds the way in which Ronaldo was infected because he has spent most of the last 10 days with his Portuguese squad teammates.
      And today Katia, who first made a name for herself as a singer before falling in love with a Brazilian and moving to his homeland, showed her discontent.
      She said: “If Cristiano Ronaldo has to wake the world up, I have to say he really is a prophet from God. Thank you.

      “I think thousands of people will believe in the pandemia, in the tests and in the measures that have been taken, just like me.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo says he has no coronavirus symptoms and is flying back from Portugal to quarantine in TurinCredit: AFP

      “The biggest fraud I’ve seen since I was born.
      “Today I read a phrase which I stand up to applaud, namely ‘Enough of a world of puppets.’
      “Please, someone, open your eyes.”
      Her social media rant was immediately shared by her mum Dolores, who had travelled to Lisbon for a family reunion that Cristiano missed out on after he tested positive for covid.
      Katia Aveiro is known for her sharp social media tongue.
      After a Cristiano Ronaldo statue in Madeira, famous for its famous bulge in the shorts department, was reportedly vandalised by Lionel Messi fans, she took to Facebook to say she was “ashamed” at what had happened.
      BLASTS COME APLENTY
      She also wanted the ‘savages’ who vandalised the effigy to be sent to Syria.
      She raged: “I find the act in itself a dishonour but what I find more shameful is the envy that surrounds him and the rage that some unloved and frustrated fatheads display in public in a disgraceful way which leaves me as a Portuguese person ashamed and sad.
      “The people that are responsible for this and other negative things directed towards this person should know that our island was recently voted the world’s leading island destination not just for the beautiful sea that surrounds us or for our marvellous gastronomy or even the warm Madeiran welcome.
      “It was in part thanks to this great Madeiran figure that honours his origins.”

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      Georgina Rodriguez recently wished her man well after his coronavirus diagnosis
      “Sadly my beautiful island is still inhabited by some frustrated savages who should live in Syria amidst people who don’t respect each other and who don’t know how to live together.
      “Please forgive me those who are suffering because of war but I think people are badly distributed.
      “There are still envious people on this planet who can’t accept the success of others, mediocre people who don’t do our world any good.”
      Katia’s covid rant appeared to be directed at the fact Ronaldo had been the only one to flag up positive and seemed to be a clear statement she did not believe the results.
      Earlier in the day she had showed her support for her brother by writing on her Instagram, in an apparent reference to the early death of their dad Dinis from liver failure in 2005: “God is not indifferent to your needs.
      “He hears your call and is paying attention to you. He’s prepared his blessing, his miracle. You have a father.”
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was previously sent a touching message by his partner Georgina Rodriguez in a Whatsapp video call.

      Cristiano Ronaldo tests positive for coronavirus and axed from Portugal squad and put into isolation with no symptoms More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo travels from Portugal to Italy onboard private ambulance plane after positive coronavirus test

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has left Portugal in an air ambulance to continue his self-isolation at his Turin home after testing positive for coronavirus.
      The 35-year-old’s jet left Tires Airport in Cascais near Lisbon around 1.45pm local time.

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      Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: EPA

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      Ronaldo is travelling back to Italy onboard a private ambulance planeCredit: European Air Ambulance

      He was taken to the municipal airstrip from the Portuguese training camp base in nearby Oeiras by ambulance.
      He is understood to be travelling in a Bombardier Learjet 45XR LX-ONE which is specially equipped to fly him following his Covid positive test.
      It is operated by Luxembourg Air Rescue which specialises in offering repatriations of those who have suffered illnesses or accidents abroad and need to get back home.
      It had been reported earlier in the day he wanted to fly back to Italy.

      He was pictured on Tuesday giving the thumbs-up from a balcony at his room at the Portuguese training camp.
      His positive coronavirus test put him out of tonight’s Uefa Nations League match against Sweden.
      There has not been any official comment from the Portuguese FA on Ronaldo’s departure, although it’s understood he requested and received permission to travel.
      Earlier today, Portuguese sports analyst Rui Pedro Braz, referring to Jose Fontes and Anthony Lopes who are the other two Portuguese internationals to have tested positive for coronavirus so far, said: “It’s up to Cristiano to decide whether he travels to Turin or remains in Portugal.

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      Ronaldo departed Portugal in a Bombardier Learjet 45XR LX-ONECredit: European Air Ambulance

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      “Jose Fonte tested positive for Covid and travelled to Lille and Anthony Lopes tested positive and travelled to Lyon.
      “Cristiano Ronaldo believes that if he tests positive a third time he’ll want to travel to Turin.”
      Portugal manager Fernando Santos claimed before the Juventus star left his homeland that Ronaldo was desperate to play after being forced to sit out tonight’s clash against Sweden.
      Speaking while the team star was still at the Portuguese training camp, he said in an update on the footballer’s condition: “He is managing the situation very well.
      “He is in the room, saying he wants to play, he talks to us from his balcony.
      “He is completely asymptomatic, he is OK, without any symptoms, he doesn’t even know what happened to him.”
      The plane Ronaldo left on was pictured and his departure filmed live on TV, but it is not thought anyone managed to obtain any clear shots of the footballer.
      Plane operator European Air Ambulance describes itself as offering “bed-to-bed services for worldwide missions” on its website.

      It says: “European Air Ambulance is one of the largest specialised air ambulance service providers in Europe offering worldwide air ambulance repatriation with outstanding end-to-end patient care.
      “All missions are staffed with a medical team consisting of a specialised physician and a flight nurse. 
      “We are ready to take off day and night, 365 days a year.”
      Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez has labelled the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as her ‘inspiration’ following his positive test.
      Uploading a screenshot of a Whatsapp video call between them alongside the message: “You are my inspiration” and a heart emoji.
      Italian media have revealed that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Ronaldo remains on a £28million-a-year salary at Juventus.
      This is equal to or more than the squad bill at FOUR Serie A teams.
      And Ronaldo also earns four time more than the second highest-paid player in the Italian top-flight.

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      Georgina Rodriguez reacted to news of her partner’s positive coronavirus test by sharing a screenshot of a video call between themCredit: Instagram / @georginagio More

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      Government claim fans will not be back into stadiums until coronavirus cases fall as Oliver Dowden demands EFL is saved

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      CULTURE Secretary Oliver Dowden ordered football’s warring factions to come together and save the EFL.
      In a clear statement of intent, Dowden told MPs the Government is prepared to intervene and force wholesale change on the game if it cannot sort out its most pressing issues.

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      Oliver Dowden has promised that action would be taken to save EFL clubsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Dowden agreed that Gareth Bale’s Tottenham weekly salary was “perverse” when the sum could have kept Macclesfield alive.
      He attacked the weekend launch of pay-per-view Prem games and called on BT to make this weekend’s Merseyside derby free to air rather than being screened behind a paywall.
      But he revealed he had been “promised” that action would be taken to ensure “no EFL club goes bust” as a result of the Covid crisis. 
      And Dowden admitted there were “inconsistencies” in the Government policy that has allowed some indoor venues to open to the public while fans are locked out of football stadiums.

      Pressed on his response to Project Big Picture by members of the DCMS Select Committee, Dowden said: “I’ve made clear my deep scepticism and concern about this.
      “This would tend towards a closed shop for effectively the six most powerful clubs in the Premier League.
      “More importantly there is a problem which football is perfectly capable of resolving itself, whereby the Premier League and the EFL just need to get together and do this deal. 
      “From the conversations I’ve had we know the EFL clubs will not be allowed to go bust – and there are resources there – but we need a comprehensive deal.

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      “This is a distraction at best from that and demonstrates we were wise to put in our manifesto the provisions for a fan-led review because it genuinely brings into question the ability of football to govern itself properly.
      “Football can show it can govern itself well is to get this deal over the line, where the Premier League uses its wealth to support the wider football family and the EFL comes properly to the negotiating table.”
      Dowden insisted the Government was not minded to dig into its own pocket to help keep clubs alive, citing his feeling that it would be wrong “to ask a pensioner in Hartlepool to pay her taxes” to spend on the national game.
      The Culture Secretary said he could “accept peoples’ frustration at the inconsistency” in policy over opening up venues.
      Dowden said: “I desperately wanted socially distanced fans in stadiums from the start of October but we had to pause that because of the rapidly rising rates of infection.
      “It’s not just the stadium. it is the journey to and from the stadium both on public transport and people being likely to want something to eat or drink on the way.
      “When we get to the point that we have confidence we have the disease under control so that it is not on a rapid upward curve I would rapidly return to this decision.”
      Dowden’s repeated reference to the “£1billion spent in the transfer window by Premier League clubs” is unlikely to go down well.

      PROPOSED PREMIER LEAGUE CHANGES IN FULL

      EFL given £250m for loss of matchday revenue – deducted from future TV earnings.
      Nine longest-serving clubs have ‘special status’ – with just six votes from those clubs needed to pass a new rule.
      Premier League to go from 20 clubs to 18.
      FA awarded £100m gift to help during Covid-19 pandemic to help non-league game, the women’s game and grassroots football.
      8.5 per cent of annual net Premier League revenue to go to ‘good causes’, including the FA.
      25 per cent of all combined Premier League and Football League revenues to go to EFL clubs.
      Six per cent of Premier League gross revenues to pay for stadium improvements across the top four divisions.
      New rules for the distribution of Premier League television income, overseas and domestic.
      League Cup and the Community Shield to be axed.
      24 clubs each in the Championship, League One and League Two reducing the professional game overall from 92 clubs to 90.
      A women’s professional league independent of the Premier League and FA.
      Two sides automatically relegated from the Premier League every season and the top two Championship teams promoted.
      The 16th place Premier League club plays in a play-off tournament with the Championship’s third, fourth and fifth placed teams.
      Financial Fair Play regulations in line with Uefa, and full access for Premier League executive to club accounts.
      Away tickets for fans to be capped at £20, with travel subsidised, a focus on a return to safe standing, a minimum away allocation of eight per cent capacity.
      Later Premier League start in August to give greater scope for pre-season friendlies, and requirement for all clubs to compete once every five years in a summer Premier League tournament.
      Huge changes to loan system allowing clubs to have 15 players out on loan domestically at any one time and up to four at a single club in England.
      *According to The Telegraph…

      Now will his agreement with committee head Julian Knight that Bale’s wages in the current financial situation were “perverse”, which he described as “an apt observation”.
      Further quizzed over the controversial PPV deal, with fans charged £14.95 to watch each of the 15 games over the next three weekends, Dowden said: “I was not massively impressed.
      “This goes to the whole concern that people have. These other things jar with the idea of coming together during this period of crisis for the country.
      “We had conversations with the broadcasters in the past and will continue to raise these issues with them.
      “If BT were able to make this weekend’s game free to air as a gesture it would be a great thing to do of course.”

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      Government cannot provide ANY scientific proof for football stadium ban but Palladium ‘packed’ for Wenger book launch

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      THE Government cannot provide ANY scientific evidence which shows why it is safe for 400 people to watch a ballet indoors but unsafe for football fans to watch games in a stadium.
      Supporters were left fuming this week when they saw pictures from the Royal Ballet and shows at the London Palladium packed full of people enjoying a night out in enclosed spaces.

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      Oliver Dowden has not shared any scientific reasoning behind not allowing football fans into groundsCredit: PA:Press Association

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      People crammed into London Palladium on Monday night – but the venue insists it was only at 50 per cent capacityCredit: Getty Images

      Oliver Dowden, Minister for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, was one of those who watched the ballet in central London but he is refusing to give the green light for fans to get back in stadiums.
      SunSport asked Dowden and the DCMS repeatedly to explain why it was safe to open indoor arenas but not let supporters into open-air grounds with Covid-19 social distancing measures in place.
      They were unable to offer an answer or provide any scientific data to back up the baffling position.
      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      Instead they claimed there was an increased risk of transmission caused by thousands of fans travelling to matches across a weekend, though it was safe for 400 to take a Tube in central London on a Friday evening to the Royal Ballet.
      A Government spokesperson said: “We fully understand the decision not to reopen stadia on October 1 is frustrating for sports fans.
      “In the face of rising infections and further restrictions it was not possible to take further easements which would have meant several tens of thousands of fans going to sports events every weekend.
      “We continue to work at pace to find solutions that will allow crowds safely back into stadia as soon as possible.”

      On Monday night, people crammed into the London Palladium for Arsene Wenger’s book launch.

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      Piers Morgan tweeted a photo from Arsene Wenger’s book launch at the London Palladium where fans piled inCredit: Twitter@piersmorgan

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      Wenger launched his new book at the London PalladiumCredit: Amazon

      Gunners fan and TV presenter Piers Morgan tweeted a picture from the event with people crammed in and very little social distancing seemingly taking place.

      He wrote: “How can the London Palladium be packed like this last night for an event with Arsene Wenger, but football fans aren’t allowed to watch matches outside even socially distanced?
      “I’m completely bemused.”
      Match of the Day host Gary Lineker added: “Makes no sense whatsoever. You can listen to football chat in a relatively crowded indoor arena, but you can’t watch football with a limited crowd in an outdoor arena.”
      However, a spokesman for LW Theatres, which own The London Palladium, said the venue was not full and operating at 50 per cent capacity.
      They said: “The London Palladium was not packed last night for ‘An Evening with Arsene Wenger’.
      “We were operating at 50 per cent capacity. This is fully in line with, and indeed goes further than, the Government’s current Stage 4 guidance for the reopening of theatres.”

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      England clash with New Zealand next month axed due to coronavirus travel restrictions in hit to Southgate’s Euros prep

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      ENGLAND’S international friendly against New Zealand has been axed due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
      Gareth Southgate’s side are now scrambling to find a replacement opponent for next month’s game.

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      Gareth Southgate’s European Championships preparations hit a bump with the friendly against New Zealand cancelledCredit: PA:Press Association

      The game was due to take place on November 12 at Wembley.
      But the All Whites announced they had withdrawn from the fixture over further complications surrounding travel and player availability.
      A New Zealand Football statement read: “It is not an action taken lightly, this is a match we all wanted to play.
      “However, as it stands of the last All Whites squad selected for the November 2019 tour, even excluding the New Zealand-based players, a significant number of the team would be subject to quarantine or restrictions on their return home.

      “This would heavily disrupt their domestic seasons and potentially jeopardise their professional careers.
      “The shifting nature of travel restrictions and commercial flight availability under Covid means that we do not have certainty we could assemble a squad at Wembley on this day and defaulting on this fixture at the last minute is not an option.”
      New Zealand head coach Danny Hay, whose side will begin World Cup 2022 qualifiers in March, added: “I’m gutted, and I know the players will also be, but this is one of those situations we can’t do anything about.
      “We always knew when planning for these fixtures that certain players would be unavailable but looking at the restrictions currently in place, as well as the rising number of Covid-19 cases across Europe, it just isn’t possible to put a competitive squad together.

      “We all want to be playing more games but coming up against one of the top sides in the world with a heavily understrength team doesn’t do anything to help our long-term development.”

      England tweeted to confirm they will announce a replacement opposition in due course in a bid to reduce the impact on Gareth Southgate’s European Championships preparations.
      The Three Lions’ friendly at Wembley on November 12 will be followed by the conclusion of their Nations League group away to Belgium and at home to Iceland on November 15 and 18 respectively.

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