ON A JOURNEY: Lars Lagerbäck at Gardermoen on Sunday. The Swede travels home without having led Norway in one match this national team gathering. Photo: Hallgeir Vagenes
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GARDERMOEN (VG) On Sunday, a national team in quarantine travels out of Norway. The journey goes from Gardermoen and home to the club teams around Europe.
It is a seemingly ordinary day at Gardermoen. The personnel help the travelers through the security locks – some in transit, others on their way home after a weekend in “red” Oslo.
Among the travelers are also a number of national team players in quarantine. Barely a day ago, they had to turn in the door at the airport. They were not allowed to travel to Romania by private plane. Now they will on board each of their scheduled flights back to their respective club teams.
The first VG observed was national team manager Lars Lagerbäck. The Swede walked calmly past without wanting to comment on the canceled international match against Romania.
Shortly afterwards, AZ player Fredrik Midtsjø strolled through the arrival hall. Nor did he want to talk to VG before leaving for the Netherlands, probably on the 12.40 flight to Amsterdam.
—DIDN’T WANT TO TALK: Fredrik Midtsjø at Gardermoen. Photo: Hallgeir Vagenes
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Infection control doctor Tore Steen confirms to VG that he is the one who made the decision to let the players go home on Sunday. This is also in line with the covid-19 regulations §5e 2nd paragraph which states the following:
“People in quarantine infection can exceptionally use public transport to get to a suitable quarantine site after special assessment by the municipal doctor.”
This means that the entire national team squad, with the exception of Omar Elabdellaoui, who was put in isolation earlier this week after a proven corona infection, can legally return home. The remaining players have tested negative for corona several times.
The Norwegian corona regulations do not allow players to be sent out of the country to go to work – that is, to play football. The national team must continue the quarantine at their place of residence.
– The entire player group is deeply despairing that the Norwegian authorities refuse us to travel to the two decisive Nations League matches against Romania and Austria, said the captain team, consisting of Stefan Johansen, Martin Ødegaard and Joshua KIng, in a press release yesterday.
It has been a chaotic week for the Norwegian national team. Even before the international match against Israel hailed the criticism against football being played in the middle of a pandemic. Proven infection in the Israeli troop threw gasoline on the fire.
The fight against Israel was canceled, and later Elabdellaoui was diagnosed with corona. A national team gathering consisting of three matches, now ends up with no matches for the original squad.
There is still uncertainty about the Nations League match against Austria next Wednesday. NFF has confirmed that they are working on a possible emergency national team. The squad will then consist of Norwegian players who have their everyday club life in foreign clubs.
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