[ad_1]
“The bags were packed”
Of: Anton Johansson, Erik Karlsson
Published:
Updated:
Photo: JOEL MARKLUND / BILDBYRÅN
Helsingborg has several crown cases on the team.
Martin Olsson, who played against Djurgården, is now excluded from the Swedish national team.
– The bags were packed and should have gone tomorrow. It’s the decision they made, and of course it’s sad, but I get it, says Olsson.
Several confirmed cases of covid-19 in Helsingborg A-team mean that the Swedish soccer team has chosen to withdraw the selection of 32-year-old Martin Olsson.
“Faced with the risk of contagion, the management of the national team has decided to recall Martin Olsson’s selection for the collection and for the Nations League matches against France and Portugal”, writes the Swedish Football Association on its website.
“It’s bitter”
Martin Olsson tells Sportbladet that he did the test a few days ago. He tested negative, has no symptoms and played Sunday’s game against Djurgården, which Helsingborg won 3-1.
– I’m healthy and that’s why I played today. I did two assists and then they called me when I got home and said they didn’t want to risk me joining because so many on the team have it, and that it can be 14 days before symptoms appear. That was it and it hasn’t been 14 days yet. Of course I can understand it too, but it’s bitter, says Olsson.
So do you still believe the reasoning, even though you are healthy yourself?
– Yes, I have to play today. That being said, I feel fine and have no symptoms. I really thought it wouldn’t be a problem to come, but I think the national team leadership went through everything and thought it best not to take that risk. Especially when you’re locked in a hotel for X days, he says.
Will we see you on another national team in the future?
– Definitely. I also think that before the injury (last season) I had a great performance in the national team. This season has also gone very well for me individually. Janne himself says that he definitely wants to be with me and that I may also be ready for the next collection.
“Too bad for us and Martin”
National team manager Stefan Petersson says the decision was made in consultation between the medical team and the national team leadership.
– But clearly it’s a medical decision, he says.
– For us it is very sad that it is like this, a pity for us and a pity for Martin.
Federation Captain Janne Andersson:
“I spoke to Martin tonight. He and I both think it is very boring, but he completely understands the decision,” he tells the SvFF website.
No replacement is scheduled to be called.
Published:
