The SFA have changed self-isolation rules as Motherwell v Dundee United played host to a false-positive situation.
An Arabs player tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week and it is understood United did not train on Tuesday ahead of this game. Motherwell won 2-1 on the night thanks to goals from Devante Cole and Chris Long but the player with the false-positive featured for the away side.
Earlier this season, Hibs’ Alex Gogic tested positive for Covid-19 but then was deemed a false-positive after follow-up tests declared him negative. He still had to self-isolate for 10 days, missing his first international call-up with Cyprus as a consequence. Hamilton had a similar situation back in September where three players had to isolate after false-positive tests.
But United’s man was cleared to play at Fir Park, with the SFA changing the rules on his availability. The rule is now that if you get a positive test, you get an NHS test. If that comes back negative, you no longer have to isolate. Protocol dictated previously you had to self-isolate, regardless of the follow-up test results. Motherwell were unaware of this change and only learned of it after enquiring to the Joint Response Group.
The club didn’t have any communication from the JRG to make them aware of the rule change prior to that. Dundee United meanwhile had been given the all-clear by the relevant authorities, including the Scottish Government, to allow the player and the team to take part in action at Fir Park. The Tannadice club were made aware of the clearance late on Tuesday night but were also unaware of any rule change beforehand.
Alexander says he would be surprised if rules were changed without clubs knowing about it: “I will be honest, I didn’t even know there was a positive test until a couple of hours before the game. I didn’t really want to get involved in that before the game. By then I was just focusing on the game and on my team.
