With the UEFA Champions League set to get underway in a few days, UEFA has laid on their protocol for COVID-19 in the case a squad has an infection, which is being relayed by Culture PSG.
UEFA has a slightly different protocol for the Champions League than for Ligue 1 in case of COVID-19 effects a club’s ability to participate in their scheduled match.
In Annex J of the Champions League regulations for the 2020/2021 season, it says that if one or more players test positive for COVID-19, the protocol states that the match will occur as scheduled. However, the game won’t happen if the national (or local) health authorities of one or both clubs in question or in the place where the game will take place require a large group of players or the entire team to go into quarantine.
If at least 13 players from List A (including at least one goalkeeper) are available, the match will occur on the stipulated date. If there are less than 13 players from List A or no registered goalkeepers are available, UEFA may authorize the game’s rescheduling.
Nonetheless, as long as the competent authority can carry out further tests to allow the appropriate number of players (must be 13 including at least one goalkeeper), the match will go on as scheduled regardless.
If this is not the case, the club can present players who have not been registered with UEFA before the deadline. The said player must be registered in his national association as a club player in question per the association; test negative under UEFA’s return to play protocol.
Suppose it is not possible to reschedule the game before the final deadline of January 21, 2021. In that case, the club that cannot play the game will be responsible for not being able to play, and the disciplinary, control, and ethical body of UEFA will hold the club accountable for having lost the match 3-0.
With 24 players on their A-list, PSG has little room for maneuver, and the outbreak they had in early September seems to protect them from this situation.
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