AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022: Two Members of Indian Women's Football Team Test Positive for Covid-19

Two members of the Indian Women’s Senior National Team for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 have tested positive for COVID-19, and are currently in isolation at a designated medical care facility, AIFF said in a statement.

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The AIFF prioritises the health and safety of its players, and are following all the necessary health protocols as have been laid down by the AFC, it added.

The two positive cases will, however, not threaten the tournament as AIFF president Praful Patel on Monday had said that matches will not be cancelled if 13 players are available in each of the two competing teams.

Patel, who is also the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said that contingency plans have been put in place to deal with any situation in case participating team members are infected by the virus.

“The affected player or players will be isolated but the teams will be fielded as long as 13 players (in each team) are available,” said Patel.

According to The Bridge, one of them was set to start against Iran on Thursday in their opening encounter of the quadrennial tournament.

According to Australian journalist, Samantha Lewis, four team apart from hosts India have positive cases in their squads. Japan, South Korea, China, and Vietnam have all reported covid cases in the past few days.

All the 12 participating teams are staying inside a strict bio-bubble and everyone involved in the tournament, including all players and officials are required to undergo regular COVID-19 tests.

All the staff working in the team hotels will also be in the bio-bubble and will not physically interact with anyone outside the bubble.

Same goes for the bus drivers who will ferry the teams for training and matches. They have also been provided accommodation inside the bubble.

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