skip to main content

Travel ban could scupper England v Iceland

Raheem Sterling's penalty secured a 1-0 win for England over Iceland in Reykjavik in September
Raheem Sterling's penalty secured a 1-0 win for England over Iceland in Reykjavik in September

The Football Association is waiting to see if England's Nations League game with Iceland can go ahead despite the UK’s travel ban on anyone entering the country from Denmark.

The Wembley clash on 18 November has been put at risk following the new ban on arrivals from Denmark, which includes all elite sportspeople who had previously been exempt from restrictions.

Iceland play Denmark in Copenhagen on 15 November ahead of meeting Gareth Southgate’s side and seem set to fall victim to the updated rules.

The FA is awaiting clarification from the government to see if the new regulations will impact on England’s final Nations League fixture.

UK residents can return from Denmark but must isolate along with all members of their household for 14 days.

The rule could have serious implications for Premier League clubs ahead of the international break.

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand has called up replacements for a number of England-based stars.

The Danish Football Association says Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, Everton’s Jonas Lossl, Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen, Southampton defender Jannick Vestergaard, Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Brentford duo Henrik Dalsgaard and Mathias Jensen are currently not expected to feature for Denmark in Wednesday’s friendly with Sweden.

Swedish players could therefore also be affected by the new UK government restrictions.

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof, Newcastle full-back Emile Krafth and Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen are in the Sweden squad for the Brondby friendly.

"The DBU’s management has in the last few days been in dialogue with both UEFA, the English Football Association, English authorities and others," the DBU statement read.

"As DBU has not received the necessary answers from the English Football Association, national coach Kasper Hjulmand has been forced to select a number of extra players for the test match against Sweden on Wednesday, if the English authorities do not have time to change the rules in the next few days."

The 14-day self-isolation rule would see them miss crucial Premier League games on their return, but FIFA rules issued at the start of the pandemic allows club to withdraw players from international duty if there is a risk of coronavirus infection.

Elite competitors had been exempt from any quarantine controls because they were working in a secure environment.

But the new Denmark guidelines, which came into force on Saturday morning, prevent that as the UK's Department of Transport said: "Unlike other travel to the UK, there will be no exemptions to this quarantine policy."

Read Next