[ad_1]
MANAGER
The dispute over travel restrictions for the national team shows that UEFA regulations are out of step with the development of the infection in Europe.
see more
Manager: This is a Dagbladet editorial and expresses the views of the newspaper. Dagbladet’s political editor is responsible for the editorial.
The temperature has The dispute this weekend over the relationship of the Norwegian Football Association (NFF) with the crown restrictions has been high. As in many other sectors, the stakes are high. When the NFF finally decided to cancel the men’s team trip to Romania, and the game against Austria on Wednesday is on the line, it could have consequences for the national team’s path to the next World Cup.
In that case, it is due to UEFA regulations that are out of step with the development of the infection in Europe, not to unreasonable restrictions from the Norwegian health authorities.
NFF refers to that 55 national associations have signed the European Football Association (UEFA) infection control protocol. As health director Bjørn Guldvog noted earlier last week, this protocol was formulated this summer when infection pressure in Europe was at a much lower level. A rigid testing system should ensure that soccer players can cross national borders without having to comply with quarantine rules. This is how top-level football should be able to continue almost normally, despite the corona pandemic.
Now the situation is completely different.
The continent is in the middle within a second wave. The country soccer masters are planning to travel to this week, Austria, will introduce an even tougher shutdown on Tuesday. The first, released in early November, didn’t last. Schools and stores will now be closed. The infection also affects football much more than a few weeks ago. Here at home, Brann and Haugesund are in quarantine. The Norwegian elite series and the first division will be lucky if they manage to complete the season on time.
This weekend’s confusion over national team travel may well be a warning. It can be difficult to put together European match schedules in the coming months.
NFF tried stay within the rules by traveling without national league players. Then they would not violate the quarantine rules that apply to re-entry into Norway. Otherwise, the NFF believed that the quarantine rules of the other players should be interpreted based on the local rules where they were going to travel. NFF made every effort to follow the letter of the rules, but not the intent of the rules. There is still a difference between the just and the moralistic. Exceptions to quarantine regulations here at home should only apply when life and health are in danger. Soccer is not that important yet.
[ad_2]
