Barcelona vs Dynamo Kiev: Champions League match at risk of being called off due to coronavirus outbreak

The Ukrainian side’s options are limited ahead of the game at the Nou Camp

Jack Rathborn
Tuesday 03 November 2020 13:00 GMT
Comments
El delantero del Barcelona Lionel Messi
El delantero del Barcelona Lionel Messi (REUTERS)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Barcelona’s Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev is in doubt with the Ukrainian side struggling to field a side after a Covid-19 outbreak.

A squad of just 13 players travelled to Spain on Monday, which is the key number as the minimum according to Uefa’s health protocols.

Six more youth team players have travelled and could be called upon, but if Dynamo lose one more player from their List A squad, the match will be postponed.

The current total of players who have tested positive for coronavirus is six, with more tests to take place on Tuesday. Georgy Tsitaishvili, Denis Garmash, Mikkel Duelund, Alexander Karavaev, Tudor Belutse and Mykola Shaparenko have been named as the players who are currently isolated.

And Mundo Deportivo report those players trained with the squad on Sunday.

A club statement read: "Testing showed a positive result in several players of the team: Georgy Tsitaishvili, Denis Garmash, Mikkel Duelund, Alexander Karavaev, Tudor Belutse and Mykola Shaparenko. In addition, the tests of assistant head coach Emil Karas and four representatives of the team's staff gave a positive result."

Those who have travelled have tested negative so far, but further tests are required to ensure they do not belatedly contract the disease.

If the game is postponed, then the clubs will have to find a date to replay the match before 28 January deadline.

Dynamo are also contending without assistant coach Emil Karas and four other members of the backroom staff tested positive.

While Mircea Lucescu is dealing without goalkeepers Denys Boyko and Heorhiy Bushchan and defender Vitaliy Mykolenko due to injuries.

Dynamo are sitting third in Group G, with a loss to Juventus in their opener before earning a point against Ferencvaros.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in