– Hope and believe in the green light – VG

– We have received signals that we will receive an answer on Thursday. We know that there will be an intergovernmental conference then. We both hope and believe in the green light, says Gro Tvedt Anderssen to VG.

She is the director of communication and public relations in the Norwegian Football Association (NFF). Tvedt Anderssen says that they have had a dialogue with the government and the political leadership in the Ministry of Culture. They have also sent a separate letter to the government, requesting an exemption from the quarantine rules that apply to travel to and from countries outside the Schengen area.

If Norway were to win the match against Serbia, a decisive match against either Scotland or Israel awaits a place in next summer’s European Championship. Also in that settlement, Erling Braut Haaland (20) and his teammates will be guaranteed home advantage.

Want overall answers

NFF has asked for exceptions for matches for both the men’s and women’s national teams in the period ahead. The same applies to the Norwegian club teams that will go to Europe, such as Molde and Rosenborg, as well as youth national teams.

– We hope for an overall answer. That is what we have asked for, says Tvedt Anderssen.

Lars Lagerbäck will basically take out the gross squad for Norway’s European Championship playoffs next Sunday. For the Nations League match against Austria, the national team got a certain exception.

This led to players such as Alexander Sørloth (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Omar Elabdellaoui, Martin Linnes (both Galatasaray, Turkey) and Mathias Normann (Rostov, Russia) being able to join.

– Good experiences

According to NFF, the infection control scheme worked very well. The program is made by the European Football Association (UEFA).

– The UEFA protocols are very strict, and we have good experiences from the Austria match in Norway where we were dependent on exceptions for key players, says Tvedt Anderssen.

Minister of Culture Abid Raja replied the following about the case just under two weeks ago:

– We are very well acquainted with the issue, and the health authorities will make assessments related to both it and other matches. Since the infection situation is unpredictable, it is too early to say anything about this now. But I can assure all football-loving Norwegians that I and the government work purposefully with this. I am also in ongoing dialogue with the football association, and we will return as soon as the health authorities are ready with their assessment.