Israel vow to turn up for play-off despite going back into lockdown
● Country imposes strict Covid rules ahead of play-off semi in Scotland
The Israel Football Association have insisted they will be able to fulfil their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Scotland next month despite their country becoming the first to impose a second national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The Israeli parliament has approved the government’s decision to reintroduce strict measures which include preventing travel of more than 500 metres from homes with the exception of going to places of work.
The new lockdown will begin at 2pm on Friday and run until at least 11 October – three days after Scotland are scheduled to play Israel at Hampden in the play-off semi-final.
But the Israel FA are confident measures will remain in place which will allow Willi Ruttensteiner’s squad to make the journey to Scotland as they attempt to progress to a play- off final against either Nor way or Serbia for a place in the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals next year.
“We do not expect a problem to fly in a chartered plane for an international game, as the Ministry of Culture and Sp or ts will follow the same process as in the case before,” insisted an Israel FA spokesperson.
Israel came from behind to hold Scotland to a 1-1 draw at Hampden last month in a Uefa Nations League fixture.
Covid -19 then impacted Scotland’s next fixture in the Nations League group when positive tests among members of Czech Republic staff initially prompted them to declare their game against Steve Clarke’ s team in Olomouc on 7 September would be postponed.
But after intervention from Uefa, the game went ahead as scheduled with the Czechs having to select a completely new coaching staff and squad which was composed mainly of previously uncapped players. Scotland recovered from going a goal down to beat the makeshift Czech side 2-1, with goals from Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie.
Israel are due to host Czech Republic in their next Nations League match in Haifa on 11 October, the day their new lockdown is scheduled to end.