Austria are set to travel to face Scotland in World Cup 2022 qualifying this month – but it’s likely to be with a skeleton squad due to quarantine measures.
A host of Bundesliga players are likely to be ruled out of the clash at Hampden, Steve Clarke to announce his Scotland squad for qualifying matches against Austria, Israel and Faroe Islands this week.
Austria’s German-based players, including Bayern Munich leader David Alaba, aren’t allowed to enter the UK without a 14-day quarantine period on their return to Germany. This has been ruled out by Bundesliga clubs with many players not to travel for international matches this month.
There’s no exemption for professional athletes either. It could have been played in a neutral venue as the start of Scotland’s road to the World Cup in Qatar next year faced a rejig, similar to Champions League matches involving German sides.
Manager Franco Foda has a headache to contend with, no fewer than 18 Bundesliga players involved in his latest Austria squad. But in this case, there wasn’t a good way to solve this issue: “There was no satisfactory option in this situation.
“We made our decision with a view to the entire qualifying campaign. If we had to swap home rights in September, we would have had to play three logistically challenging and gruelling away games within a course in Moldova, Israel and even Scotland.
“In addition, we hope for a real home advantage with our fans in the back in the autumn. It is important for us that the decision is made. Now we have to focus on the things we can influence.”
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