June 09, (THEWILL)- In the final days before the rescheduled Euros 2020 kick off, another member of the Spanish senior men’s national team, Diego Llorente, has tested positive for COVID-19, to make him the second camped player to contract the coronavirus.
THEWILL recalls that on Sunday, the team’s schedule was disrupted by the positive result for team captain Sergio Busquets. To abide by COVID-19 protocols, the entire team had to enter self-isolation for the regulation period.
Furthermore, the entire training base staff and players had to be tested again in adherence to strict coronavirus rules set out by UEFA and Spanish health authorities. They also had to pull out of their final friendly match against Lithuania, as a consequence, which Spain’s Under-21 side played superbly.
The first test results were encouraging after Busquets left the base as there were no positive cases. However, a second testing turned up a positive result for the defender Llorente to make him also exit the training base.
The Royal Spanish Football Association (the Real Federación Española de Fútbol – RFEF) made the positive result public on Tuesday night in the aftermath of the successful friendly match where Lithuania lost 4-nil to the U-21 Spanish side in Madrid.
There was no information as to whether either player can rejoin others in the Euros 2020 camp in the future but they will certainly not be available for Spain’s initial two fixtures. Incidentally, Spanish coach Luis Enrique did not take full advantage of the 26-man limit for the competition as he invited only 24 players and is now short two.
Despite their isolation, the squad have continued training, though separately because group sessions are banned due to the outbreak, in strict compliance with health and safety regulations. Players that Enrique called up such as Villarreal defender Raul Albiol and Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga are set to begin training in a separate bubble on Wednesday.
These will include Rodrigo Moreno, Pablo Fornals, Carlos Soler and Brais Mendez, who were already called up previously by the manager to beef up the team. Enrique took advantage of UEFA’s grace that allowed teams until the weekend to make changes to their squads should there be any new injuries or COVID-19 outbreaks.
They will hope there are no new positive cases in the squad which may trigger fears of a wider outbreak than previously considered. That will place the team’s participation in the continental competition in jeopardy.
It could lead the RFEF to sanction the U-21s, who demonstrated maturity and determination against Lithuania, to fly the Spanish flag at the Euros 2020. Spain is drawn in Group E, alongside Sweden, Poland, Slovakia and will host the group games at the Stadium La Cartuja Sevilla, Seville.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
