Report: Seven ISL players, a coach test positive for COVID-19 in Goa

Members of Chennaiyin FC, NorthEast United, Hyderabad FC and FC Goa have reportedly tested positive for the virus.

The seventh edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is all set to be played behind closed doors in the state of Goa as a precautionary measure against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the SoPs, all the teams have to compulsorily quarantine themselves for a week on arrival in Goa. The domestic contingent and the overseas players of all ISL teams except Bengaluru FC and East Bengal have reached the coastal state so far.

The members of all the teams will be tested three times during the quarantine period and among the teams that have reached, seven players and a coach have been tested positive for COVID-19, as reported by The Times of India. According to sources, the members of Chennaiyin FC, NorthEast United, Hyderabad FC and FC Goa have tested positive. However, a Hyderabad official told TOI that no one has tested positive since reaching Goa.

“Teams have adopted different strategies for testing their players and coaching staff. Some of them opted for a seven-day isolation prior to travel with three negative RT-PCR tests, while others simply travelled to Goa and did their tests here. Clubs who came here and did the tests have several reasons. First, not all players had access to testing facilities in their hometown. Also, the clubs felt it was better to monitor the tests and progress, if done centrally,” a source close to the developments added.

Players who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been told to isolate themselves and will be allowed to resume training once they have two negative results. ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters, Jamshedpur FC and Odisha FC have not reported any positive cases yet.

ALSO READ: Indian Football Transfers: Fowler joins East Bengal, Chennaiyin get Isma

According to the Health and Safety protocol for the upcoming season, all league and club personnel must have the Aarogya Setu app installed on their phones. All players, team officials and other support staff within the bio-secure environment must complete an evaluation that includes a daily health questionnaire and temperature assessment on the ISL Health Passport app on their phones.