National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has criticized UEFA’s handling of players who tested positive for the corona virus at the European Football Championship. The 54-year-old is particularly upset that subsequent nominations are not possible in such cases.
“I really want to use the moment now to put my finger in the wound. We asked UEFA beforehand to think about whether we could take 26 players with us. That was not guaranteed, although the men at the World Cup were can do,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.
The DFB women will have to do without Lea Schüller in the second group game against title candidate Spain today (9 p.m. CEST/ARD and DAZN) at the Brentford Community Stadium. The goalscorer from FC Bayern Munich had tested positive for the virus and was isolated from the team.
UEFA regulations do not allow late nominations
In view of the pandemic situation, the German Football Association had already started an approach to the European Football Union last winter in order to obtain approval for a 26 instead of 23 squad at the European Championship – without success.
UEFA regulations do not allow late nominations after the first game during the tournament. Exceptions are goalkeepers. “That doesn’t correspond to my personal concept of fair play,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “That contradicts me as a sportswoman and I ask UEFA to consider this for future tournaments.” There are also other teams with isolated corona cases at the European Championship.