Ukraine players during their recent Nations League match against Germany. Reuters
Ukraine players during their recent Nations League match against Germany. Reuters
Ukraine players during their recent Nations League match against Germany. Reuters
Ukraine players during their recent Nations League match against Germany. Reuters

Ukraine's Nations League match in Switzerland cancelled due to virus


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Ukraine's Nations League match against Switzerland on Tuesday has been called off just hours before kick off after six players tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Ukraine Association of Football (UAF) said in a statement that the match "cannot take place" after Uefa informed it that Swiss health authorities made the decision "to quarantine the entire delegation of the national team of Ukraine."

The match in Lucerne was slated to kick off at 7.45pm GMT (11.45pm UAE).

Earlier on Tuesday, the UAF said a total of six national team players had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi and two Shakhtar Donetsk teammates - Sergiy Kryvtsov and Junior Moraes - contracted the virus and were self-isolating in their hotel in Switzerland, the association said.

On Monday, three other Ukraine players - goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk, left-back Eduard Sobol and midfielder Yevgen Makarenko - tested positive.

Kryvtsov and Moraes have already come into contact with the coronavirus and have antibodies, according to the UAF.

Uefa, European football's governing body, told the UAF that the Department of Health of the Canton of Lucerne had quarantined the entire delegation from Ukraine so the match was off.

"Uefa, UAF and the Swiss Football Association are ready for the match, but the ban [by] local authorities cancels all hopes of football organisations to hold the game," the UAF said.

Uefa will decide later on what to do about the missed match, the UAF added.

Andriy Shevchenko's side have been badly affected by the virus, as four more players tested positive before the 3-1 loss away to Germany on Saturday.

In October, Ukraine included 45-year-old assistant Oleksandr Shovkovskiy in the squad for a friendly against France after a number of players, including two goalkeepers, tested positive.

Ukraine are three points ahead of Switzerland with one match left in Nations League A Group 4, as they attempt to remain in the top tier of the competition.

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Germany beat Ukraine 3-1

  • Leroy Sane celebrates with Timo Werner after scoring Germany's first goal in their 3-1 win against Ukraine on Saturday, November 14. Reuters
    Leroy Sane celebrates with Timo Werner after scoring Germany's first goal in their 3-1 win against Ukraine on Saturday, November 14. Reuters
  • Timo Werner, right celebrates after scoring to give Germany a 2-1 lead. AFP
    Timo Werner, right celebrates after scoring to give Germany a 2-1 lead. AFP
  • Germany defender Robin Koch and Ukraine midfielder Junior Moraes vie for the ball. AFP
    Germany defender Robin Koch and Ukraine midfielder Junior Moraes vie for the ball. AFP
  • Timo Werner scores Germany's second goal against Ukraine. Reuters
    Timo Werner scores Germany's second goal against Ukraine. Reuters
  • Germany forward Serge Gnabry controls the ball. AFP
    Germany forward Serge Gnabry controls the ball. AFP
  • Germany midfielder Julian Brandt and Ukraine defender Yukhym Konoplia vie for the ball. AFP
    Germany midfielder Julian Brandt and Ukraine defender Yukhym Konoplia vie for the ball. AFP
  • Germany's Matthias Ginter in action against Ukraine. Reuters
    Germany's Matthias Ginter in action against Ukraine. Reuters
  • Leroy Sane attempts to avoid a challenge from Ukraine defender Eduard Sobol. AFP
    Leroy Sane attempts to avoid a challenge from Ukraine defender Eduard Sobol. AFP
  • Ukraine goalkeeper Andrey Pyatov fails to Germany forward Timo Werner making it 3-1. AFP
    Ukraine goalkeeper Andrey Pyatov fails to Germany forward Timo Werner making it 3-1. AFP
  • Timo Werner celebrates scoring Germany's third goal. Reuters
    Timo Werner celebrates scoring Germany's third goal. Reuters
  • Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan under pressure from and Ukraine defender Yukhym Konoplia. AFP
    Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan under pressure from and Ukraine defender Yukhym Konoplia. AFP
  • Germany defender Antonio Rudiger on the ball. AFP
    Germany defender Antonio Rudiger on the ball. AFP
  • Germany defender Philipp Max dribbles the ball away from Ukraine midfielder Marlos. AFP
    Germany defender Philipp Max dribbles the ball away from Ukraine midfielder Marlos. AFP