2022 World Cup qualifiers: Hong Kong try to push Covid-19 worries aside after Iraqi tests positive
- The infected player tests positive upon his arrival in Bahrain and has been quarantined
- ‘It is out of our control and we have to rely on the organisers to provide a safe environment,’ says FA chairman Pui Kwan-kay
Hong Kong will take on group leaders Iraq in their 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifier in Bahrain on Friday night, despite one of the Iraqi squad testing positive for Covid-19.
“We were told the Iraqi player tested positive upon his arrival at the airport in Bahrain and has since been quarantined,” said Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay. “That player has no contact with any Hong Kong team members at the hotel so it has given us less worry.
“But, of course, you cannot rule out the possibility that the Iraqi player may have infected his teammates before he was quarantined and Hong Kong players may be affected. But this is out of our control and we have to rely on the organisers to provide a safe environment for all participants.”
A spokesman for the Hong Kong team in Bahrain said they were told that since no other Iraqi players had showed any symptoms, the match will go ahead as scheduled.
“We can only ask the players to keep good personal hygiene, always wash your hands and put on face masks as required,” he said.
There will be another Covid-19 test for all players on Thursday, he added.
