GREEN-LIST CONCERNS OVER DERRY’S EURO TIE

DECLAN DEVINE has agreed a contract extension to continue as Derry City manager until the end of the 2021 season. Devine, 46, was appointed for a second spell as Candystripes manager in November 2018 and last season led the team into the Europa League – they play FK Riteriai of Lithuania next Tuesday. Arrangements for that first round qualifier in Vilnius are in doubt after the Lithuanian government updated its version of our safe travel green list, removing Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, among others due to the ‘deteriorating epidemiological situation’. A statement from Lithuanian health chiefs read: ‘Persons who have returned or arrived from countries on the list of countries most affected by coronavirus infection or who have travelled through the affected countries shall be deemed to have been exposed to the virus. Persons arriving from or via the affected countries are required to selfisolate.’ As it stands, unless Derry City receive a travel exemption, they cannot fulfil the fixture in Vilnius. The game may be switched to a neutral venue, such as Hungary, which is the closest of four hubs identified by UEFA for staging European club games. Derry, who have chartered a plane to fly to Vilnius, are awaiting directions from UEFA and other relevant authorities as to their options. All SSE Airtricity League sides involved in European club competitions have reported negative Covid-19 test results. These include Derry, champions Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.