Covid-19 hits ISL; Saturday’s ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC match deferred

A player at ATK Mohun Bagan has tested positive for Covid-19 leading to their match against Odisha FC on Saturday being deferred. This was stated by a message from ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday afternoon.

“Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has decided to postpone Match No. 53 between ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC scheduled to be played today, Saturday, January 8, 2022, at PJN Stadium in Fatorda. The League will look to reschedule the fixture to a later date, “read the message from the club.

“The decision has been taken in consultation with the League’s medical team after a ATK Mohun Bagan player tested positive for Covid-19. The League will work closely with the medical experts to monitor and ensure the safety of all the players and support staff in the squad and others involved,” said the statement.

No further details were available.

ATK Mohun Bagan are scheduled to play Bengaluru FC on January 15 next. As of now, the match between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, scheduled for a 9:30pm start in Saturday’s double-header is on. They played Hyderabad FC on Wednesday.

This is the first official Covid-19 positive test in almost a season and a half of ISL being held in bio-bubbles in Goa since November 2020.

With vaccines available this time, ISL8 began with over 98% of those connected with the competition having completed two doses of vaccination. Most of those who had not had shots were development players, many of whom were below 18 when the competition started last November.

The league’s testing protocol includes players and staff being tested prior to every training session and on match days. This is after they had returned three negative tests to enter the bio-bubble.