The Norwegian authorities have grounded a flight planned to take their squad- including Moi Elyounoussi an Kris Ajer- to Romania today.
On Friday the Norwegian FA announced that their home based players wouldn’t be included in the squad as they would have to quarantine after the trip which includes a game in Austria on Wednesday.
Norway’s friendly against Israel was called off on Wednesday but if the match against Romania doesn’t take place a 3-0 win will be awarded to the hosts with Norway in line for UEFA sanctions for failing to fulfil their commitments.
Time is now running out for Norway with a morning flight required to ensure that they are in place for Sunday’s 20:45 local time kick off in Bucharest:
The Sun reports:
Norwegian team-mate Omar Elabdellaoui contracted the virus earlier in the week and the authorities in Oslo have stopped the group from leaving the country. The team were due to take off today for Bucharest with a great chance of winning their group and gaining promotion.
However, the Norwegian delegation have returned to their hotel, with their training and press conferences cancelled for the day. Plans are being put in place for the group to travel to Romania tomorrow, on the morning of the game, but those plans depend on whether the authorities give the green light.
It does seem double standards if the Norwegian FA take players from Celtic and elsewhere to Romania while players with Norwegian clubs are left behind.
Four Celtic players have travelled from Serbia to Slovakia with a further trip to Israel on the schedule of the Scotland international squad.
