October 22, 2020 - As COVID-19 rips through Croatia, three 9th round Croatian First League matches meant to be played this weekend have been postponed.
It all began yesterday when Lokomotiva Zagreb announced they still cannot compete as the coronavirus has penetrated its dressing room. After postponing the match against Osijek last weekend, the 9th round match against Hajduk, which was supposed to be played on October 24, at Kranjčevićeva, is also postponed. The match will take place on the first possible date, which will be decided later.
The Croatian Football Federation stated the following explanation:
"On October 21, 2020, NK Lokomotiva submitted a notification that four players tested positive for coronavirus after testing the entire team, and two more have an epidemiological measure of self-isolation. Therefore, NK Lokomotiva cannot continue the regular competition and requests the postponement of the 9th round match in the HT First League between Lokomotiva - Hajduk.
Following the regulations of the HNS and the decision of the Competition Commission of the HNS from the session held on August 6, 2020, which authorizes the commissioners of the competition to postpone a particular match in case there are six or more players of the same club in self-isolation; based on the request of NK Lokomotiva, a decision was made to postpone the match. According to the provisions of the Rules on Football Competitions and the Propositions of Competitions, postponed matches must be played in the first possible free period, on which a decision will be made later."
Furthermore, Gorica announced today that five players have tested positive for coronavirus, so the match supposed to be played against Rijeka on Sunday has also been postponed.
"The 9th round of the HT First League, which was supposed to be played at the City Stadium in Velika Gorica, was postponed because the results of individual testing confirmed coronavirus infection in five HNK Gorica players, and three more have a prescribed measure of self-isolation.
Based on the request of HNK Gorica, following the regulations of HNS and the decision of the Competition Commission of HNS, a decision was made to postpone the match."
But that's not all.
After the Gorica-Rijeka match was postponed, the same happened with the match between Istria and Osijek.
"The match between Istra 1961 and Osijek is postponed.
The test results confirmed the coronavirus in seven players of the Osijek Football Club. To avoid spreading the infection further, it is necessary to postpone the match until the competent epidemiologists decide on further action."
You can see the Croatian First League table HERE.
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