UEFA makes special arrangements in the event of possible Covid-19 contamination in the selections.

A positive player should thus be forced to leave his selection.

Each team will have to present at least 13 players tested negative to play its matches, under penalty of a forfeit.

This is one of the greatest apprehensions of the teams participating in Euro 2020. The Covid-19 virus could upset selections during their European adventure.

Spain and Sweden are watching this threat very closely, after the positive tests of two players in their ranks, including Roja captain Sergio Busquets, a few days before the start of the competition.

UEFA has strengthened its health protocol in the event of possible contamination during the Euro.

Europe 1 gives you details.

Possible substitutions before the first match

In this context of a pandemic, UEFA is planning unprecedented measures for the attention of the players.

Until the first match, it will be possible to replace a player in the event of "serious injury or illness", medically certified, including in the event of contamination with Covid-19 or "contact case".

The outfielders and goalkeepers concerned "may be replaced before their team's first match", continues UEFA.

"A player who has been replaced on the list of 26 players in accordance with these provisions will no longer be able to appear there", concludes the organizer of the Euro.

A player positive for Covid should therefore be forced to leave his partners.

Selections expanded to 26

It is to offer more security to the participating teams that UEFA has enlarged the lists to 26 players instead of 23 per nation.

However, during the matches, each country will be able to register only 23 players on the match sheet, that is to say the 11 holders and 12 substitutes.

Three players will therefore attend the match from the stands, a delicate parameter to manage for the coaches.

Another novelty: each team will have the right to make five changes during the match, as currently in the Champions League and in several championships such as Ligue 1. This rule is put in place to strengthen player rotations, while the calendar has been increased due to the pandemic.

Players tested before matches

Each Euro player will have to carry out a PCR test three days before the matches.

But UEFA has not made vaccination compulsory.

In the France team, coach Didier Deschamps and his staff were vaccinated, just like Kylian Mbappé.

Need 13 players minimum

In the event of contamination in a team, it will have to present at least 13 players tested negative to take part in a meeting.

"If a group of players from a team is placed in compulsory quarantine or solitary confinement by decision of a competent national / local authority, the match will be played as planned if the team has at least 13 players (including at least one goalkeeper) […], on condition that all players are eligible to represent the national team and are tested negative for Covid-19 ", specifies the European football body in its regulations.

A postponement of the match depending on availability

If this minimum number of 13 valid players (including at least one goalkeeper) was not assured, the match could be postponed within 48 hours, depending on the availability of the calendar.

The competition agenda will be busy, with matches on average every four days for the teams entered.

UEFA could also decide to move the rescheduled match to another stadium in the competition.

The ultimate decision: the package

Ultimate case: if despite all the arrangements detailed above a team was not able to play the match, "the UEFA Disciplinary Body will take a decision in the matter".

Understand a defeat by forfeit on the score of 3-0 for the national team affected by the virus.