Domagoj Vida Found Out About Positive Covid Test Half Way Through Turkey Game
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Croatia captain Domagoj Vida started his team's game against Turkey on Wednesday night, before finding out he had tested positive for Covid-19.
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There has been plenty of questions about the need for international breaks in the midst of a world pandemic, with players travelling from all over the world to meet up with their national teams, and especially with such a packed schedule of games.
Players have been getting lots of tests to reduce the chances of spreading the virus but there has still been issues, with Cristiano Ronaldo testing positive during the previous international break in October.
On Wednesday night Croatia kicked off against Turkey despite not getting their results from an earlier test and Vida had to be substituted at half-time after finding out about his positive test during the break.
If it wasn't already painstakingly obvious how stupid having these international friendlies were, Domagoj Vida has tested positive after playing for Croatia tonight against Turkey... ♂️
- SP (@Sunil_YG30) November 11, 2020
How has this happened? How can a player only find out he's had a positive result half way through the game, after potentially already infecting 21 other players if not more! These internationals should never have gone ahead, they just make the spread worse! https://t.co/cUbgEMsEqh
- TheMightyBlues (@MightyBluesYT) November 12, 2020
This is a complete embarrassment and makes a mockery of footballs Covid protocols. Add further fuel to why the hell we're playing these pointless friendlies and increasing spread risk.
- Ed Yew (@ed_yew) November 12, 2020
Turkey 3-3 Croatia: Domagoj Vida plays 45 minutes with Covid-19 - https://t.co/GitXkEgms7
A statement from the Croatian football association explained the situation, saying, "The medical service of the Croatian national team received initial information at the end of the break between the two halves that there was one potentially positive result. This is a common test procedure, and a "suspicious" finding is retested to confirm the result.
"As the selector Zlatko Dalic had already made a decision to change Vida at that time , the medical service of the national team isolated Vida according to all epidemiological measures until the test results were confirmed.
"Vida will, in accordance with regulations, spend the next few days in self-isolation in Istanbul.
"All other national team members and staff members, who tested negative, are scheduled to travel to Stockholm. It is taken into account that the national team complied with all epidemiological measures, in accordance with Uefa's Return to Play protocol."
The two sides played out an exciting 3-3 draw in their friendly and fortunately no one else tested positive for Covid on Wednesday.
The captain will now miss the side's Nations League games against Sweden and Portugal in the next week and will have to isolate.
Fortunately there are now more international breaks until 2021.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Football News, Nations League, Turkey, Croatia, International Football
