Portugal's Joao Cancelo Tests Positive For COVID-19, And Out Of The Euro 2020 Tournament, Replaced By Diogo Dalot.

Portugal's Joao Cancelo will miss the country's Euro 2020 campaign after testing positive for coronavirus the defending champions' federation announced on Sunday.


The 27-year-old Manchester City's defender who is doing well, is now currently in isolation, and has been replaced by Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot who spent the just concluded season on loan at AC Milan, with the loan-deal set to expire end of the month.


Cancelo's emmergency exit is now a big blow to coach Fernando Santos side coming just 48 hours before Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2016 winners will begin their campaign with a Group F opener against Hungary on Tuesday.

They would also face Germany in Munich four days later, and against world champions France waiting for them back in Budapest on June 23 in what seems to be a group of death.


Dalot '22' was an important player for the Rossoneri towards the end of the season, impressing the Milan's management with his performances. 

He recently took part in the U21 Euros with Portugal, who finished second after losing the final against Germany last week.


A statement from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) read: ‘Under-21 international Diogo Dalot will join the National Team’s delegation in Budapest to prepare for his debut at Euro 2020.

‘The AC Milan player will replace Joao Cancelo, who tested positive for Covid-19.

"According to the Covid-19 protocol established by UEFA before Euro 2020 matches every player in the squad underwent a rapid antigen tests on Saturday by the FPF Health performance unit, the results, with the exception of Joao Cancelo, were negative."

The statement also mentioned that many in the team have been vaccinated after the RT-PCR test, meaning an outbreak should be avoided.


We also understand that Cancelo is one of a number players to have tested positive to coronavirus in the build up ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Russia was hit when winger Andrei Mostovoy tested positive and was ruled out on Friday, the day before their opening game against Belgium which they eventually lost 3-0.

Spains captain Sergio Busquets is self-isolating and out of their opening game against Sweden on Monday in Seville after testing positive last weekend, two days after a warm-up match against Portugal.

Sweden forward Dejan Kulusevski of Juventus and midfielder Mattias Svanberg also tested positive, with six reserve players called up on stand-by.


No comments

Powered by Blogger.