All Whites test positive for Covid-19, Uzbekistan friendly match cancelled

A number of positive Covid-19 test results in the All Whites has caused the cancellation of an international friendly match with Uzbekistan in Dubai on Wednesday morning.

The positive cases were detected as part of the team’s regular testing regime and they are currently isolating from the rest of the squad.

All players and staff are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell said it was hugely disappointing to cancel the game, but was confident it was the right decision.

“It is fair to say the team and staff are gutted to have to cancel the game but in a situation like this player and staff welfare is the absolute priority. We cannot create further exposure events for the team and staff and be responsible for a possible outbreak in the Uzbekistan team as well.”

New Zealand Football was working with the team in Dubai to undertake further testing of the squad before they departed, as well as supporting the players who had tested positive while they recovered, Pragnell said.

“Unfortunately, this is a risk international sport is currently faced with and hugely disappointing for all involved.”