England’s Nations League clash with Iceland could be held in ALBANIA after FA held urgent talks with Government amid new Covid laws… and additional travel is set to annoy Premier League clubs amid hectic schedule
- England are scheduled to host Iceland in the Nations League next Wednesday
- There is a Government ban on people entering the UK from Denmark
- Iceland take on Denmark away just three days before travelling to England
- It had led to fears over the Nations League encounter taking place at all
- But the match could now be set to take place in Albania to ease England’s fears
The Football Association has been informed that Albania is emerging as a contender to host England versus Iceland.
The FA on Monday held urgent talks with Government officials to ascertain whether England’s clash against Iceland can be played at Wembley amid new Covid laws.
A ban was imposed on non-UK citizens coming from Denmark in the early hours of Saturday morning amid concerns over a new coronavirus strain that has spread from mink to humans.
England are scheduled to play Iceland in the UEFA Nations League next Wednesday evening
There are still doubts over the staging of England’s clash with Iceland amid new Covid laws
UK citizens can return from Denmark – but will have to isolate along with all members of their household for 14 days.
Under the newly-introduced rules, Iceland would be denied entry into England meaning the Nations League clash could not go ahead as planned at Wembley.
The FA will seek clarification from the Department for Culture Media and Sport to discover whether the Government’s ‘elite sport’ protocols means the clash is exempt from the new regulations.
The news comes as the UK imposes strict quarantine rules on Denmark after a Covid outbreak
If it emerges the Iceland team will not be permitted entry into the UK, the FA will seek to re-arrange the game at a neutral venue.
And Sportsmail can reveal that Albania is emerging as a serious contender to host the game if it cannot be played at Wembley.
If the Nations League encounter is moved to Albania, Premier League clubs will certainly not be happy with the additional travel amid the already hectic calendar caused by the coronavirus pandemic.