– Exposes people to unnecessary dangers – VG

– I must honestly say that it is fun in every possible way. I must remind you that when we closed Oslo the last time, on March 12, there was another big event on the same day: Liverpool – Atlético de Madrid, says Johansen.

A later report showed that up to 41 crown-related deaths could be traced back to battle. In Ullevaal and most of the other stadiums, this time there will be a limited audience. Johansen, who last week decided to socialize in Oslo, remains concerned about the players and the infection they may carry.

The city council leader moved on Twitter worried Monday night. According to Johansen, the message was removed after great media pressure at a time when he did not have time to respond, but emphasizes that he is responsible for the content.

– There is player predation, weak infection control and exposes people to unnecessary dangers when playing more or less important international matches. It seems strange that players are being sent all over the world, and here in the city we are in the middle of a social shutdown. I think it’s incomprehensible, says the 59-year-old.

Johansen is not the only one who has reacted to the fact that international matches are now being played. VG commentator Leif Welhaven writes Tuesday about what he calls “unnecessary transfers” amid a pandemic.

“How deaf is it then that for everything in the world it should be overcome that international matches should be held with minimal competitive value?” Welhaven asks.

– I really like football and it is something I relax with the most. Now I am happy that Vålerenga is on the table, but I think he is good with these international matches. It is easier to maintain an infection regimen within a club team. In national teams, the players come from various clubs in different countries. It’s a much more demanding situation, Johansen believes.

He believes that national leagues, such as Eliteserien and Toppserien, have proven to be justifiable. However, Johansen has noted that club directors, such as Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp, are concerned about sending players to national team meetings.

– Soccer has a responsibility. Several coaches say the infection comes after national team meetings. These entertainers are being looted and he doesn’t belong anywhere, says the Oslo city council leader.

Liverpool are among the Premier League teams most affected by the virus. Thiago Alcântara, Sadio Mané, Kostas Tsimikas and Naby Keita have all had the virus, the latter after attending a rally in Guinea.

The Ministry of Health refers to the Ministry of Culture, which has submitted to Johansen’s proposals. They have not yet responded to VG’s inquiry.

NFF rejects financial motives

The Norwegian Football Association organizes the international match on Wednesday. The general secretary of the association, Pål Bjerketvedt, understands that some react:

– It is possible to understand the concerns that more people express about the situation in which Norway and other countries find themselves. There is a new mobilization in society, and both the NFF and football as such understand and support the measures, he says.

Bjerketvedt notes that the NFF has canceled matches for several age-specific national teams. However, the A team is obliged to play the matches of the League of Nations, of which the Israel match is a part, and according to Bjerketvedt, they follow a strict infection control protocol.

– UEFA has hosted approximately 500 international matches from August to now. In general, it has gone well, with some cases of infection. We follow a strict infection control protocol and according to this protocol, Israel arrives on a charter flight to Gardermoen. From there, they take a bus to the hotel and to and from Ullevaal, where they complete a training session and play the game, says the general secretary.

He says the party has received the go-ahead from the city of Oslo. The NFF has previously stated that economic reasons were decisive in their wanting to carry out the fight against Israel.

– I want to correct the impression you have created. We do not suffer any financial hardship if this match is canceled. We are committed to playing a certain number of games over a period of time; I think there are 40 games in four years. The economy is not a factor, he says.

Next week, Norway will go to Austria to play an away game in the Nations League. On Monday, three Red Bull Salzburg players were refused to join the national team after a crown infection was discovered in six of the club’s team players. On Sunday, Norway will travel to Romania.