Ireland star Alan Browne tests positive for coronavirus, hours after playing against England

Republic of Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for coronavirus following Thursday night’s 3-0 friendly defeat against England.

Preston’s Browne, who played the full 90 minutes at Wembley, has been isolated from the rest of the group ahead of Sunday’s Nations League fixture against Wales in Cardiff.

However, it will give cause for concern for England, who travel to face Belgium on Sunday before hosting Iceland at Wembley next Wednesday – a game which will go-ahead at Wembley after the FA were given special permission by the UK government to host the game despite a travel ban for their opponents.  

Ireland’s Alan Browne (R) has tested positive for coronavirus after playing England last night

Browne played all 90 minutes for Ireland at Wembley and has been isolated from the group

The clash was in doubt after a ban was imposed on arrivals from Denmark due to a new coronavirus strain that has spread from mink to humans.

Under the new rules, Iceland would be denied entry as they will first play Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday.

If they were not given an exemption to the ban, the FA would have been forced to find a neutral venue to stage the game — in either Germany or Albania — or risk forfeiting, but the Government later confirmed that Icelandic players will be allowed in without needing to self-isolate.

Meanwhile regarding Browne’s positive test, a Football Association of Ireland statement said: ‘The Football Association of Ireland can confirm Ireland midfielder Alan Browne has tested positive for COVID-19. 

‘The player has been isolated from the group as per COVID-19 protocols, and the HSE and UEFA have been informed of this development.

‘There are no close contacts of the player and the rest of the staff & squad tested negative ahead of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Wales in Cardiff.

Browne is the second Ireland player to give a positive result this week, with West Brom striker Callum Robinson having missed the England game for the same reason.

Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah had to sit out last month’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final in Slovakia as close contacts of a member of staff who later tested positive on the flight to Bratislava, while four more players were withdrawn on the squad’s return to Dublin.

More to follow…