“Minimize the risks”. Thomas Tuchel’s objective with this mini-course which began on Saturday in the south of Portugal, aims, beyond the quest for a group spirit, to move away from the coronavirus.
The Iberian country is not immune to the disease and measures are even still underway until August 14 in Lisbon and its region. As for the Algarve, mass tourism punctuates its summer and Portugal does not impose any negative test on travelers to enter the country. Three instructions therefore for the players: barrier gestures, isolation from the group and tests.
If the club took over the nasopharyngeal (PCR) and serological tests since the resumption of training on June 22, it is the turn of UEFA, organizer of the Champions League, to take over. “The health of the players, staffs, referees and all those operating in the stadiums is our main priority,” said Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA general secretary this week.
To carry out these tests, the European body chose a German company, the Synlab group. The laboratory has made an appointment with the clubs. The goal: to return negative tests 24 hours before the matches.
Responsible clubs if a case is positive
For PSG, two days of testing are planned. The first will take place on Sunday, after the morning training session. Players and staff will undergo a new PCR test, which consists of a nasal swab. The second will take place on Tuesday, just over 24 hours before the quarter-final against Atalanta Bergamo.
“The members of the teams must present a document attesting to a negative result” on their arrival at the stadium, the day of the match, specifies the UEFA. If a player is declared positive, the UEFA health protocol requires him to “comply” with the rules issued by the local health authorities. In Portugal, a 7-day isolation is requested before a new test is carried out.
“Teams must ensure that no positive person comes to the match site,” the protocol informs. UEFA therefore warns the clubs: they are responsible if a case is positive. And will be if they fail to bring together the 13 players necessary to hold a meeting. The PSG assures to have taken all the necessary measures to avoid a massacre of positive cases.
Last precaution: President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and the other leaders, who will not arrive until Monday in Lisbon, are being tested this Saturday from Paris.
