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.

Liam Shaw told Sheffield Wednesday a move to Celtic was “impossible” to turn down as the Owls vowed to investigate his pre-contract agreement.

The Yorkshire club announced yesterday that the 19-year-old midfielder, who came through their academy, will move to the Premiership in the summer.

The statement on their official website also claimed they were “investigating this matter” and said Celtic had gone quiet on a proposed coordinated release.

Speaking on his official Twitter account, Shaw said: “After discussing the options with my family, I have decided to take on a new challenge and so, I’ve agreed to join Celtic, one of the most famous and prestigious clubs in the world, on July 1.”