Ireland have suffered a fresh setback as a player who was expected to be cleared to take part against Finland tomorrow night has failed a subsequent COVID-19 test.
The individual - who cannot be named - tested positive for the illness initially following a UEFA test on Sunday.
He then returned a negative result from a second test on Monday morning.
However, it was confirmed by the FAI overnight that a third test had again tested positive for the condition.
Irish player returns second positive COVID-19 result on retest
Player will now isolate for 10 days and is out of the Finland match, no other close contacts identified
➡️ https://t.co/dIymTlVPb2#COYBIG | #FINIRL pic.twitter.com/cbxoKCSU0u— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 12, 2020
No members of the Irish squad or the backroom team have been identified as close contacts of the player.
This individual is the second player to be ruled out of Stephen Kenny's plans following a positive test.
Ireland will not bring any additional players into the squad to travel to Finland for tomorrow night's Nations League clash.
The FAI confirmed that the HSE and UEFA will be informed of these events and that the player has left the squad.
Irish options
Ireland were without Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah for last week's crucial play-off in Slovakia - after the pair were deemed close contacts of an FAI staff member who tested positive for COVID-19.
As that case was later deemed to have been a 'false positive,' the two players have returned to the Irish squad.
Dara O'Shea, Jason Knight, Ryan Manning and Ronan Curtis have also been drafted in as cover for players ruled out due to their contact with an Irish player who tested positive for COVID-19.
COVID-19 - International football's future
During his post-match press conference on Sunday, OTB's Nathan Murphy asked Kenny if he fears for the immediate future of international football, given the rising number of cases on both the club and international fronts.
When asked if he'd be in favour of temporarily halting the international calendar, the Ireland manager said: "Obviously, I'm the middle of the camp and it's an interesting question. I'm sure everything will be reviewed and to be direct, I'd have to think about the answer. It's one that I'd have to consider and think about. Ideally, you want life not to be interrupted, sport is very important and football is the most participated sport in the country."
Kenny added: "The national team are a very important part of Irish sporting life. We don't want that to diminish but there are serious challenges. There's a lot of anxiety with the clubs too and that will be something for everyone to consider."
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