Covid-19 disrupts Reggae Boyz Saudi Arabian plans

Photo: Goalkeeper Jeadine White has been called up at the last minute to be a part of the Reggae Boyz squad that will play two friendly internationals against Saudi Arabia in the next few days. 

Even as the Reggae Boyz prepare to face Saudi Arabia in two international friendlies in a few days, their plans have been hit by the Covid-19 virus as one local based player has been found to be infected, while an overseas based player is deemed to be compromised.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) last night released a statement revealing the two cases, but refused to name the local based player that had the positive test.

The local based player will be returning to Jamaica while two players have been called in as last minute replacements for the two players that twill miss out.

Below is the release from the JFF.

JFF RELEASE:

A National player has tested positive for Covid 19. The player, who was in quarantine at the UWI/JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence since Wednesday, was tested on Friday morning and the result became available today (Saturday) while he was en route to Saudi Arabia. With the positive result, he will not make the rest of the journey but instead have been isolated in London before returning home.  

 Public health officers interviewed the three remaining players who were in quarantine with him and determined that they were low risks. They were allowed to travel under observance by team Doctor Bersha Cole.  

The entire squad will be tested and quarantined for three days when they get to Saudi Arabia.    

Alvas Powell, based overseas, will not make the trip, as one of his teammates at his club, Inter Miami, tested positive for the virus and he is deemed to be compromised. The two players were replaced by Tyreek Magee and Jeadine White.

The major part of the delegation left earlier today.

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While the JFF have not named the infected local based player, Yardie Sports has been reliably informed that it is goalkeeper Dennis Taylor, who has been replaced by Jeadine White.