England’s World Cup qualifier in Albania WILL go ahead as planned after the FA secured exemption

England’s World Cup qualifier in Albania next month WILL go ahead as planned after FA secured an exemption from the Government’s travel rules

  • England’s World Cup qualifier with Albania will go ahead as planned 
  • All direct flights from the UK have been suspended since December 22 
  • But the FA secured an exemption from the Government’s travel restrictions 

England’s World Cup qualifier in Albania next month can go ahead after the FA secured an exemption from the Government’s travel restrictions.

All direct flights between the United Kingdom and Albania have been suspended since December 22, with anyone travelling to the country via another route required to self-isolate on their return, but Gareth’s Southgate squad have been granted dispensation.

England’s trip to Tirana on March 28 is sandwiched between World Cup qualifiers at Wembley against San Marino and Poland, so any requirement to isolate would have led to the match being moved to another country.

England’s World Cup qualifier in Albania next month can go ahead as planned

England’s trip to Tirana on March 28 is sandwiched between World Cup qualifiers at Wembley against San Marino and Poland

Since the emergence and rapid spread of more virulent Covid-19 variants after Christmas, the Government have removed the blanket exemption from travel restrictions for elite sport. 

That led to last-minute venue switches for a host of European club matches, including Liverpool’s Champions League first leg against Red Bull Leipzig in Budapest this week — which the Reds won 2-0. But the FA have been assured that England’s plans will not be affected.

The Albanian FA had considered switching the game to another ground due to concerns about the newly laid pitch at the Air Albania Stadium, but it is now expected to take place in Tirana as scheduled.

The FA secured an exemption from the Government’s travel restrictions after flights from the UK to Albania were suspended on December 22

The FA’s success in gaining an exemption will be noted by Premier League clubs who, as Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday, are preparing to lobby Government for similar leeway to be extended to all their players travelling abroad for next month’s international break.

The clubs are planning to submit applications to Whitehall for dispensation allowing their stars to travel to red-list countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Portugal without the need to quarantine upon their return.

If that is not granted, it would prevent the likes of Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker, James Rodriguez and Diogo Jota representing their countries.

Despite the removal of the elite sport exemption, it is hoped an arrangement can be found to facilitate quarantine-free travel.

This would be on the condition that players leaving their club’s biosecure bubble immediately enter one run by their national team, without having contact with anyone else.

Premier League clubs are planning to submit applications to Whitehall for dispensation allowing their stars to travel to red-list countries such as Brazil

Premier League clubs are planning to submit applications to Whitehall for dispensation allowing their stars to travel to red-list countries such as Brazil