Madrid (AFP)
Belenenses Portuguese goalkeeper André Moreira (24) was forced to leave the field at the half-time match between his team and Moreirense in Liga NOS to go into quarantine, the Portuguese football league announced on Saturday.
"At half-time, the player (André Moreira) was ordered to leave the field by decision of the National Health Authority and of doctor Graça Freitas, who indicated that the criteria for distance and fortnight did not not been respected, "detailed the Portuguese football league in a statement released this Saturday evening.
The doorman missed the previous game against leader FC Porto on July 5 (5-0 defeat) after Belenenses third goalkeeper Joao Monteiro tested positive for the new coronavirus.
According to the Portuguese press, Monteiro shared his room with Moreira, who was therefore in contact with him just a week ago.
"The Portuguese league, with its consultant Doctor Filipe Froes, jointly with the medical department of Belenenses, carried out throughout the week a medical accompaniment of the player André Moreira. Given that the player tested negative for SARS CoV-2 on July 8, 9 and 10, Doctor Filipe Froes (...) ended up expressing a positive opinion for the goalkeeper's participation in this (Saturday) evening's game between Belenenses and Moreirense ", specified La Liga NOS in its press release .
Belenenses ended up losing 1-0 at home against Moreirense in this match counting for the 31st day of the Portuguese championship and disputed behind closed doors, as required by the post-pandemic health protocol established by the Portuguese league for the resumption of La Liga NOS, the second major European championship to return to the field on June 3, after Germany (May 16).
Nuno Santos scored a goal (50th) just after the break and the change of goalkeeper on the Belenenses side, before Nuno Coelho missed the equalization penalty (90th + 9).
© 2020 AFP