The outbreak happened at the Novotel Hotel, one of the three bio-bubbles, set up by the organisers for the football league that began on December 26.
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The continuation of I-League 2021-22 was on Wednesday thrown into doubt after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported among participating teams, staying and competing inside the bio-bubble. It has been learnt that more than10 participants including at least seven players, have tested positive for the coronavirus. Five players from Real Kashmir and at least one each from Mohammedan Sporting and debutants Sreenidi Deccan FC were among those who returned positive in the tests conducted on Tuesday.
There have some positive cases reported among certain #HeroILeague teams. The League is keeping a close tab on it and have already spoken to the clubs. In addition, an emergency meeting of the League Committee has also been summoned in the afternoon. Further details soon. pic.twitter.com/QZwfRppxDm
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 29, 2021
“Five players and three officials from Real Kashmir and at least one player each from Mohammedan Sporting and Sreenidi Deccan FC are among those positive cases,” a top league source told PTI.
The outbreak happened at the Novotel Hotel, one of the three bio-bubbles, set up by the organisers for the football league that began on Sunday. Besides Sreenidi, Real Kashmir and Mohammedan Sporting, the other teams staying in the Novotel Hotel are Rajasthan United, Aizawl FC and NEROCA.
An emergency meeting of the League committee has been called to take a decision on continuation or suspension of the league.
“We are having an emergency meeting of the League committee at 4 pm to decide on a future course of action. The safety of players and officials is paramount,” I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said.
Dhar didn’t reveal the exact number of positive cases. “There was one round of tests on December 21, and all my players were negative. This latest tests were done yesterday.” He said the next few matches may be postponed but hoping that the I-League continues.
Thirteen teams are competing in this year’s I-League across three venues- the Mohun Bagan Ground in Kolkata, the Kalyani Stadium at Kalyani and the Naihati Stadium at Naihati. There are no matches scheduled for Wednesday. Sreenidhi, Mohammedan SC, Aizawl and NEROCA have matches on Thursday while Real Kashmir has a game on Friday.
All the players and officials were required to remain in quarantine for six days in their respective hotels after arrival from their bases. They were to be tested twice during those six days. As per the protocols laid out for the league, anyone who tests positive will be isolated on different floors of the hotel and will have to return three consecutive negative test results before joining the team-mates.
The tournament started last week with TRAU FC and Indian Arrows playing out a goalless draw while, later on the day Gokulam Kerala FC began their title defence with a 1-0 win against Churchill Brothers and then, RoundGlass Punjab FC defeated Rajasthan FC 2-0.
