Croatia’s Perisic contracts Covid-19, misses Spain clash, self-isolating Mount eager to return

IVAN Perisic has tested positive for Covid-19, the Croatian Football Federation announced on Saturday night.

The Internazionale winger scored in the 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday that secured a place in the last 16 as runners-up to England in Group D.

The 32-year-old will now spend 10 days in self-isolation, and so will not be available for Monday’s match against Spain in Copenhagen.

The Croatian Football Federation said all the other players, staff and members of the delegation had tested negative. A statement on the CFF’s website read: “During Saturday evening, Croatian Football Federation received the results of regular testing for the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which showed that player Ivan Perisic has tested positive for novel coronavirus.

“Medical staff isolated Ivan from the other members of the national team and immediately and thoroughly informed competent epidemiological authorities about the situation, providing evidence of complying with all the necessary measures aimed at protection against the spread of coronavirus.

“Perisic will spend 10 days in self-isolation and during that period will not participate at the matches of the Croatian national team.

All other players, staff and delegation members tested negative.

“National team will be travelling from Pula on Sunday 27 June with a charter flight to Copenhagen, where it plays a round-of-16 match of the UEFA EURO 2020 against Spain on Monday.”

Meanwhile, Mason Mount is confident he will be ready to start England’s last-16 tie against Germany, even though he and Ben Chilwell will not be allowed to rejoin their teammates until the day of the game.

The Football Association had looked into whether Mount and Chilwell could take part in socially distanced outdoor training with the rest of the squad during the buildup to Tuesday’s match against Germany at Wembley, only to find that the pair cannot leave their isolation until midnight on Monday.

Mount and Chilwell are in quarantine after being deemed close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, who returned a positive Covid test last Monday.

They have been training individually and suggestions they could take part in preparations by working with other players, possibly in small groups, have not led anywhere.

The FA is continuing to follow guidelines stating that Mount and Chilwell must stay away from the group.

The Chelsea duo, who were forced to miss England’s victory over the Czech Republic last Tuesday, have not been in full training since last Monday and Gareth Southgate has a tough decision over whether to bring them back.

There is a particular focus on Mount given he started England’s first two group games and was going to play against the Czechs.

The manager, who is likely to pick Luke Shaw instead of Chilwell at left-back, values the 22-year-old’s tactical intelligence and would love to have him available.

The dilemma is thatNoount and Chilwell, who was due to make his first appearance of the tournament against the Czech Republic, will not be able to participate in any shape work, although they can take part in team meetings via video call.

PA Media/The Guardian