England v Czech Republic will go ahead without players Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell. They will miss out on Tuesday’s Euro 2020 game because they are self isolating due to risk of Covid-19 exposure.
The pair were seen interacting with Chelsea team-mate and Scotland player Billy Gilmour after their match on Friday. The Scottish midfielder has since tested positive for coronavirus.
Both players tested negative for Covid, but will still self isolate until 28 June. This means they could also miss playing in England’s last 16 game. The isolation period will impact preparations for the knock-out stage, and affect the pair’s ability to train with the rest of the team.
England are already guaranteed a place in the last 16 of Euro 2020. A win against the Czech Republic will see them go through at the top of Group D. If they win the group, England will play on Tuesday 29 June, meaning the pair are eligible to take part. However, if they finish in second place, England’s last 16 match will happen a day earlier on Monday 28 June. Finishing third position would see England play a game on either 27 or 29 June, depending on other group results.
So far, midfielder Mount has featured in every minute of England’s European Championship campaign. Meanwhile, left-back Chilwell is yet to play in the tournament.
‘Worst case scenario’
Following Gilmour’s positive Covid test, the entire England squad had lateral flow tests on Monday afternoon. All of them came back with negative results, including Mount and Chilwell.
The Football Association (FA) confirmed Mount and Chilwell as close contacts of Gilmour, prompting a 10 day isolation period. After Friday’s game, which ended in a nil-nil draw, the duo were seen hugging and speaking to Gilmour. As a result, they will now “train individually in private areas” at England’s St George’s Park training base.
England manager Gareth Southgate says Mount and Chilwell quarantining for 10 days is “the worst-case scenario”.
However, no close contacts were identified within Gilmour’s own national team. This mean Scotland have 25 players available for their next match against Croatia on Tuesday.
The FA are continuing to “follow all Covid-19 protocols and the uefa testing regime”, in association with Public Health England (PHE).
PHE guidance states close contact as a face-to-face conversation within one metre, or spending over 15 minutes within two metres of someone who tested positive for Covid-19. In these situations, it is possible that you may need to isolate.
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