Sweden not planning to test players for Covid-19

Swedish players and coaches will not be required to take a test for Covid-19 before training sessions or matches as part of the country’s proposed return-to-play protocol during the pandemic.

Instead, they will have to fill in a self-assessment form each morning and email it to their club doctor no later than two hours before arriving for training, or before arriving at a stadium for a match. The doctor will then assess whether the players and coaches are healthy enough to take part.

They must stay at home if they have any symptoms.

The Swedish league said yesterday it was following the general principle adopted in Swedish society that only people who “are feeling so ill that they must visit a hospital get a full-scale corona test”.

“So, in line with that, we do not have the opportunity to test our players.”

The return-to-play protocols for training and professional matches, which were published by the Swedish league yesterday, have been presented to the country’s Public Health Authority.

The authority is expected to decide this week whether the top two Swedish leagues can start next month. They are hoping to begin playing matches on 14 June, more than two months after the initial scheduled start date.

Swedish society hasn’t completely shut down during the virus outbreak because the government and health authorities have chosen not to impose as many restrictions as other countries. That is reflected in its proposed return-to-play protocols in football, which differ to other leagues in Europe.

Just across the border in Denmark, players and certain staff members will make self-examinations before training, then enter a “testing regime” before league games or friendlies against other clubs.

Every player will be tested once before matches and probably on a weekly basis, or more, after that.

The Danish league is planning to resume on 28 May.