Four Italian Squad Staff Exposed To COVID-19

The Italian national team during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Four Italian national team squad staff tested positive for COVID-19 during the World Cup qualifiers, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reported.

The news came after the Azzuri team picked up a 2-0 win over Lithuania in Group C qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in the European zone on Wednesday local time (Thursday WIB).

Previously, Italy also won 2-0 against hosts Bulgaria earlier this week. All members of the Italian national team then underwent tests on Monday, March 29 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and all tested negative for COVID-19.

But the next day, Tuesday, according to the FIGC, one of the staff complained of mild symptoms in the form of a sore throat. The staff was then isolated and sent back to Italy with a positive COVID-19 test result.

“Another staff member who had close contact was also isolated in Vilnius, Lithuania, and immediately underwent tests. The result, three of them tested positive for COVID-19", said FIGC quoted Antara from AFP, Thursday.

As is known, the Italian national team coach Roberto Mancini also contracted COVID-19 last November.