After confirming Covid-19 cases among the South Sudan delegation, the FIFA Bureau for Men’s Senior Tournaments has declared the match which was scheduled to take place on Monday evening against Jordan as part of the FIFA Arab Cup qualifiers, a forfeit with a 3-0 win to Jordan.
According to FIFA, the decision is based on Article 5.6 of the competition regulations (“force majeure”) and takes into consideration the need to protect the health of the players and everyone involved in the tournament.
“Upon their arrival in Qatar and as per the protocols established by the Qatari Ministry of Health, all delegations were tested for Covid-19. After two rounds of PCR tests, it was confirmed that seven players and one team member of South Sudan were positive, with another five players receiving a reactive test result, which as per the Qatari Ministry of Health, means that these players were likely incubating the virus,” A FIFA press release read. “Given that another seven players had close contact with those who tested positive, a total of 19 players are currently in isolation. There are no cases presenting severe symptoms and everyone who tested positive is being monitored and receiving the best possible medical care for free through the Qatar national healthcare system.”
FIFA and the local organizers regretted the unfortunate situation and wished the delegates of South Sudan a speedy recovery.
“Protecting the health and safety of everyone involved in the FIFA Arab Cup remains a top priority with a comprehensive program based on the World Health Organization’s risk-based approach being implemented in coordination with the host country,” FIFA said.
In a telephone interview with Radio Tamazuj Monday, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Deputy Secretary-General, Arkanjelo Apai, confirmed both the positive Covid-19 results and South Sudan’s forfeiture of their game to Jordan.
“Our team traveled from Juba to Doha via Egypt on Saturday, 18 June. When the team arrived in Qatar on Saturday, they were immediately screened the same evening and the results for eight players showed positive results and one technical team member also tested positive,” Apai confirmed.
The team is expected to travel back to South Sudan from Doha tomorrow leaving behind the 19 team members in quarantine there.
According to the world soccer governing body, following the cancellation of the match, all tickets will be refunded.