I-League Qualifiers: AIFF's Covid 19 Guidelines

 I-League Qualifiers: AIFF's Covid 19 Guidelines

Although late, the football season with the I-League Qualifiers will finally begin next month.  The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that the Covid-19 protocol will be strictly adhered to during the event.  The I-League Qualifiers will be held at two venues in West Bengal from October 8 to 19.  The five teams will play each other in a round robin format.  A five-star hotel in Kolkata has bio-safe bulbs for all teams and officials.  Sports activities have been suspended for a long time due to the Covid-19 epidemic.  We are going to start football in India through the Hero I-League Qualifiers.  "Players, officials, club management and even the rest of us are relieved," said Sunando Dhar, the league's CEO.  "Despite this, we will not compromise on the safety of our players and officials."  The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed by AIFF based on government guidelines.  The teams involved have been notified.  There will be regular cowboy tests for players and officials.  Before reporting to the hotel, players from five teams will have to take an RT-PCR test.  If both tests are negative, they will be allowed to enter the team's hotel.  Upon arrival at the hotel, all team members will have to remain in isolation for the next 3 days.  The first RT-PCR test will be held on September 28.  The test will be repeated on October 4, 9 and 19.  If a member is positive during the test, he or she must be in isolation immediately.  Others will be allowed to train.  The contract with the new players has been extended to September 30, so there will be no transfer.