Athletes forced to self-isolate following positive Covid test

The British athletics squad who travelled to the European Indoor Championships in Torun last week have been forced to self-isolate after a member of the support staff returned a positive lateral flow test.

British Athletics confirmed the 46-strong squad, who won a total of 12 medals at the Championships, must undertake a period of 10 days in isolation in line with government guidance.

The governing body said in a statement: “British Athletics has confirmed that a member of the GB & NI team travelling party returning from Torun provided a positive lateral flow test on the evening of March 9. This has been followed up this morning with a PCR test.

“As a result, all members of the travelling party will now need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days from Monday, March 8 (ends Thursday, March 18), in line with government guidance.”

A number of positive tests blighted the Championships despite strict protocols which required all competing athletes to test negative upon arriving in Poland and again in Torun, as well as submit to further tests every five days.

Poland’s men’s 4x400m squad had to withdraw following a positive outbreak, while Belgian sprinter Eline Berings criticised the testing procedure after being forced to withdraw from the semi-finals of the 60 metres, claiming it was due to a false positive.

Former Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher has been named as Manchester United’s first technical director as part of a shake-up that has seen John Murtough promoted to the role of football director.

Fletcher returned to United in January as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching set-up and it is understood that his work in that role impressed the powers that be both in terms of his attitude and aptitude.

The 37-year-old will now step up to become technical director focusing on “a coordinated and long-term approach to player and squad development”, while adding “technical input and direction into all football and performance areas” by working closely with football director Murtough.