England-Scotland U19 game abandoned following positive Covid-19 test

The Scottish Football Association has apologised after the Scotland Under-19 head coach, Billy Stark, returned a positive coronavirus test during a match against England, forcing the fixture to be abandoned.

Negative tests were returned by players and staff from both teams before the game at the Football Association’s St George’s Park training complex. But, with the sides scheduled to meet again on Sunday, a second round of testing was required and returned a positive case for Stark, prompting the fixture to be halted. England led 3-1 at the time.

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“Despite testing negative during Sunday’s test the head coach, Billy Stark, returned a positive test for Covid-19 this afternoon,” a statement from the SFA read. “The result of the second test was immediately relayed to the under-19 team manager and the game was abandoned immediately, in line with established Covid-19 protocol.

“We apologise to the [English] FA for any inconvenience caused and reiterate our commitment to the health and safety of all our international players and staff.”

Stark travelled home alone and will self-isolate for 10 days. Scotland’s players and the rest of the backroom team will undertake precautionary self-isolation for 14 days.

Sunday’s match has been called off, in addition to an under-17 fixture scheduled to be held at St George’s Park on Saturday.

The England Under-19 squad includes the Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott, Manchester United’s defender Teden Mengi and Wolves’ full-back Luke Matheson.

The news came on the same day Xherdan Shaqiri was given the all-clear after testing negative for Covid-19. Earlier in the week it was announced by the Swiss FA that the forward had tested positive but a subsequent test confirmed the Liverpool player had not contracted the virus.