The FAI have moved to quell concerns surrounding those to have taken to the pitch during the Republic of Ireland’s meeting with England last night, after Alan Browne returned a positive coronavirus test.
Sancho on target
Rivalries were renewed on Thursday night, as Gareth Southgate’s England welcomed the Boys in Green to Wembley for a friendly clash.
The hosts, for obvious reasons, headed into proceedings as overwhelming favourites, with a struggling Ireland side having not been at all aided by a number of key absentees.
As such, it came as little surprise when it was England who emerged as comfortable winners, by a scoreline of 3 goals to nil.
Harry Maguire opened the scoring for the Three Lions, nodding home a fine header inside the 20-minute mark.
And it was 2-0 a short time later, as Jadon Sancho cut inside to lash inside the far corner from the left-hand side.
GOAALLL!
That’s how you answer those critics.
Sancho is all about end product#ENGIRL #ITVFootball #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/lntvpzbzWO
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 12, 2020
The evening’s scoring was then wrapped up 10 minutes into the 2nd-half, as, after Bukayo Saka earned a penalty for the hosts, Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up to rattle home the ensuing spot-kick.
‘No close contacts’
As outlined above, however, an all-round positive night for the Three Lions appeared to have been soured earlier today.
This came following the emergence of news that Alan Browne, who played the full 90 minutes for visitors Ireland at Wembley, subsequently returned a positive Covid-19 test in the aftermath of the clash:
Ireland midfielder Alan Browne tests positive for coronavirus after playing against England at Wembley last night
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) November 13, 2020
Panic had since understandably spread amongst the Irish and English ranks alike, with the latter of course set for two crucial Nations League outings over the coming week.
The FAI, though, have since moved to ease such fears.
It has been assured that ‘close contacts’ between Browne and any of the English squad were not forthcoming on Thursday, with the rest of the Ireland squad having since tested negative for Covid-19.
In turn, based on current regulations, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions will not be forced into isolation, with the country’s meetings with both Belgium and Iceland set to go ahead as planned:
Ireland says there were no close contacts with Alan Browne.
So no Ireland or England players have to isolate as a result of playing on the same pitch as him at Wembley before his positive test was known https://t.co/syOgmREpGw— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) November 13, 2020
The Football Association of Ireland can confirm Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for COVID-19
There are no close contacts of the player and the rest of the staff & squad tested negative ahead of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League against Wales in Cardiff#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Llpde9apHo
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 13, 2020
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The FAI have moved to quell concerns surrounding those to have taken to the pitch during the Republic of Ireland’s meeting with England last night, after Alan Browne returned a positive coronavirus test. Sancho on target Rivalries were renewed on Thursday night, as Gareth Southgate’s England welcomed the Boys in Green to Wembley for aFootball (soccer) greatest goals and highlights | 101 Great Goals – Feed