Israeli FA considers request to delay Scotland game due to virus restrictions

Manager Andreas Herzog, goalkeeper Ariel Harush and defender Eli Dasa would all be impacted by the Israel's new virus controls

Scotland's Stuart Armstrong (second right) and Israel's Shiran Yeini (second left) battle for the ball when the two sides met in November 2018 (Jane Barlow/PA Wire.)

The Israeli Football Association is considering a request to delay its fixture with  Scotland later this month, due to restrictions in wake of coronavirus.

The organisation may approach UEFA, European football’s governing body, to ask for a postponement of its upcoming Euro 2020 play-off semi-final in Hampden Park, Glasgow on 26 March. All players would be required to attend a training camp in Israel ahead of the fixture.

This comes in the wake of  restrictions announced by the Israeli Ministry of Health, stating that anybody arriving at Israel’s borders must go into quarantine for a fortnight.

The announcement impacts the manager, Andreas Herzog, in his hometown of Vienna, meaning he will be able to join up with the squad just three days before the fixture.

Some of Israel’s key players would also be impacted, including goalkeeper Ariel Harush and defender Eli Dasa, based in Holland.

Israel’s top scorer, Eran Zahavi, plays for Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League, but will be available for the fixture as he returned to Israel before the restrictions were imposed, owing to the coronavirus outbreak in China.

According to Israeli news website, Walla!, UEFA are expected to reject the request.

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