Dundalk have confirmed that all of their players and staff will be available this weekend despite a recent breach of COVID-19 protocols.
The club has apologised after several players were photographed in Belfast last weekend a few days before the ban on inter-county travel was lifted in the Republic of Ireland.
The FAI were in touch with the Lilywhites, who cancelled training on Tuesday morning in order to carry out COVID-19 testing on the entire squad and staff.
STATEMENT | Dundalk FC acknowledges that there was a recent breach of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines by some members of the first-team playing squad.
Full statement below.https://t.co/ZMhJHXkZHu pic.twitter.com/gLhm5WxUsW— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) May 12, 2021
A statement from the club read:
"Dundalk FC acknowledges that there was a recent breach of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines by some members of the first-team playing squad.
"As a result, all players and coaching staff underwent COVID-19 testing on Tuesday morning. The club can confirm that all tests have since returned negative results.
"After consultation with HSE Live, the club has determined that no further action needs to be taken.
"Since the advent of the virus, the club has worked in line with the FAI and HSE to ensure a safe environment for all of its players and staff and it is abundantly clear to everyone at Oriel Park that COVID-19 protocols must be strictly adhered to at all times.
"The players fully recognise that this breach was a serious error of judgement and apologise unreservedly for their actions."
It means Dundalk will avoid having to field their under 19's against Finn Harps on Friday, which is what Waterford had to do against Drogheda United last week.
Dundalk are seventh in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with 10 points from 10 games and are still without a permanent manager following the departure of Shane Keegan and Filippo Giovagnoli last month.
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