A bizarre reason puts England’s Nations League game against Iceland in doubt with the fixture due to be played next week.
It is all because of the United Kingdom government’s new travel ban on non-UK visitors coming from Denmark, which is the base of a new coronavirus strain that has spread from mink to humans.
Iceland are set to play Denmark in Copenhagen three days before facing England at Wembley on 18 November.
“Unlike other travel to the UK, there will be no exemptions to this quarantine policy,” the guidance says.
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It means Iceland’s players would have to quarantine for 14 days after entering this country and now various reports claim that it raises the prospect of UEFA granting the Icelandic side a 3-0 win for England’s failure to fulfil the fixture.
The Football Association have held emergency talks with the government with the latest rules, which took effect at 04:00 GMT on Saturday, set to be reviewed after a week, the Department For Transport said.
They want to see if dispensation can be made for Iceland in terms of bio-secure travel.
By not playing out the fixture, it would end any hope of Gareth Southgate’s men replacing Denmark and Belgium to finish top of the group and make next year’s Finals.
England would still remain a top seed for next month’s 2022 World Cup qualifying draw, as that will be based on FIFA world rankings, with the Three Lions certain to stay in the top 10.
A number of club matches in the qualifying rounds of UEFA competitions were decided by walkovers after coronavirus outbreaks.
But European chiefs devised a way out of potential issues in August.
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UEFA announced that four countries – Cyprus, Greece, Hungary and Poland – had been confirmed as official “neutral venues” for matches that could not be played as intended because of coronavirus restrictions.
Only Greece is on the UK travel corridor list, making it the most likely venue if the game can’t be played at Wembley Stadium.
Another option, which has been suggested to Uefa, would be for Sunday’s game in Denmark to be switched to Greece, allowing Iceland to travel to London without any restrictions.
BBC Sport has been told rescheduling is not an option and UEFA is understood to be studying the matter.
A decision is expected in the next 48 hours.
Under the new rules, UK citizens and visa holders can return from Denmark – but would need to isolate along with all members of their household for 14 days.
That means Denmark’s England-based stars would have to isolate once they return if they travel to the country for international duty.
This matter affects the likes of Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel, Everton’s shot-stopper Jonas Lossl, Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, Southampton centre-back Jannik Vestergaard, Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Brentford pair Henrik Dalsgaard and Mathias Jensen, who are all in the national team squad.
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It could also affect the England-based players of Sweden, who are set to play Denmark in a friendly on Wednesday.
They include Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof, Newcastle full-back Emile Krafth and Everton keeper Robin Olsen.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) says it has been in contact with UEFA, the Football Association and English authorities over the matter.
The DBU says as it has not “received the necessary answers from the FA”, the seven England-based players are “not expected” to play against Sweden.
They say as a precaution replacements have been called up in case “the English authorities do not have time to change the rules in the next few days”.
“We always have our strongest possible national team,” said head coach Kasper Hjulmand. “If the situation is not resolved, we look forward to seeing other, good players in action.”
Leicester number one Schmeichel said he is still hoping to be able to play in “at least one, if not two, of the games”.
“The politics of it is the government has made a decision for now,” he told Sky Sports. “I hope they come to their senses and see we are very protected and in a bubble.”
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says Hojbjerg is unable to play in the friendly against Sweden, will miss the second game against Iceland as he is suspended, and will travel to Belgium for the Nations League game on the 18th of November.
“It looks like we found a situation that protects us and the player and allows him to play one game,” said Mourinho.
Liverpool are also due to play away at Danish side FC Midtjylland on the 9th of December in the Champions League. That is also at risk of not going ahead.
Fans reacted after seeing that a bizarre reason puts England’s game against Iceland in doubt…
Wooo hoo cancel the Internationals and let the league football continue instead
— StokesyOne (@Stokesy_One) November 8, 2020
Just cancel international football bar the play offs. Everyone hates it anyway.
— Ray Zinderbar (@RayZinderbar) November 8, 2020
Hopefully fucking ridiculous having international matches when everyone else is banned from Non essential travel.
— Blakey (@JRMBlakey) November 8, 2020
These international should have been cancelled full stop. Most European countries have lock down in place crazy.
— devad2002 (@devad2002) November 8, 2020
Absolutely ridiculous having these matches.?
— Polly???♀️ (@Polly35699124) November 8, 2020
Surely there’s an argument to call off all international football?
— james doran (@thedon152) November 8, 2020
Shouldn’t be being played anyway. Madness in this climate.
— Mike Ortega Ronaldinho (@hotshotbanker25) November 8, 2020
Bin international off completely. What’s the point of it during these times too.
— Jordan (@Jordan09A) November 8, 2020
SEE ALSO: Fans left angry as Southgate names England squad for three November fixtures
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