Scotland’s Euro 2020 opponents Czech Republic ditch Scottish training base as Croatia contemplating the same
SCOTLAND'S Euro 2020 opponents Czech Republic and Croatia could ask UEFA to move their matches at Hampden elsewhere with less than a fortnight to go, after the Czech's have pulled out of staying at Scottish bases due to Covid rules.
The Czechs announced they were no longer going to be based at Oriam - Scotland's own multi-million pounds training centre - despite twice booking it for the original Finals and the upcoming tournament due to concerns over Scottish restrictions.
They will now stay in Prague instead and fly over for matches.
And Croatia are contemplating also pulling out of their St Andrews base too and would face a desperate race against time trying to arrange new accommodation somewhere in either England or Wales.
Both countries have claimed unique Scottish Government rules on Covid will mean their entire team would have to quarantine if just one member of their party tests positive for Covid, which they believe is against UEFA's return to play protocols.
However, the Czechs have now stated they will talk to their Croatian colleagues and could ask for their matches at Hampden to be switched.
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Czech FA spokesman Michal Jurman said: "As far as the Euro matches themselves in Glasgow are concerned, these will subsequently be discussed by ourselves and the Croatian Federation.
"At the moment our priority is logistics, primarily arranging a suitable camp in the Czech Republic at very short notice.
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"The main reason we have moved is the requirement of quarantine for ten days for the whole team in the case even one of its members should have a positive test.
“It was not possible to move the camp somewhere other than the Czech Republic at such a short time. When it is difficult to travel, there is really no other solution.
"The Croatian Federation is doing the same. The financial loss of this will be covered by UEFA."
And former Rangers star Libor Sionko, the Czech FA's team manager, added: "We only discovered this very late. All the work we have put in for Edinburgh has come to nothing.
"We must now make every effort to ensure that the players and coaches have the best conditions."
A Croatian FA spokesman said they are contemplating moving their base but no decision has yet been made.
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