England Women CANCEL friendly with Germany after a member of the Lionesses’ backroom staff tests positive for Covid-19
- England Women have cancelled their friendly with Germany on Tuesday
- A member of the Lionesses backroom staff has tested positive for Covid-19
- Phil Neville’s side were due to play their first game since the virus outbreak
England Women have cancelled their international friendly with Germany after a member of the backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19.
The Lionesses were due to play their first fixture since the She Believe’s Cup in March but the FA have announced the squad will not travel due to concerns over player welfare and safety.
Current coronavirus protocols in Germany require that any individual who tests positive while in the country must self isolate for 14 days and the FA said they could not risk this happening to a member of their squad.
England Women have cancelled their international friendly with Germany on Tuesday
The FA confirmed a member of the Lionesses’ backroom staff has tested positive for Covid-19
England manager Phil Neville admitted he was disappointed they would not be able to complete the fixture but insisted the right decision had been taken.
He said: ‘While we all wanted to play Tuesday’s game, this was absolutely the right course of action. I thank Germany’s staff for their understanding and our FA colleagues for their support.
‘I know the fans were hoping to see us play again but I am sure they will understand the decision. We have still had a good week of training and are looking forward to getting together next month before our match against Norway in Sheffield.’
England manager Phil Neville said that it was the right decision to cancel the fixture
Neville had named a squad of 28 for the friendly including 11 players from Manchester City
The FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham added: ‘This has been a difficult but necessary decision. Nothing is more important than the safety, health and wellbeing of the players and colleagues under our care.
‘We are very grateful to the DFB for their cooperation and understanding and look forward to the possibility of a future fixture in healthier and safer times.’
The remainder of the Lionesses’ training camp at St George’s Park has been cancelled and players will return to their clubs today.
The squad played an internal match on Friday, as they did at their training camp back in September.
Neville had named a squad of 28 for the friendly against Germany including 11 players from Manchester City – who are due to play Everton in the FA Cup final at Wembley next Sunday.