DUBAI: A team at the African Cup of Nations will be required to play a match provided it has a minimum of 11 available squad members who have tested negative for the coronavirus.
Even if there is no goalkeeper available, an outfield player must play in goal to fulfil a fixture, provided there is a total of 11 players.
鈥淎 team that does not have a minimum of 11 players available will be considered to have lost the match 0-2,鈥� organizers said in an update of their COVID-19 regulations that was released on Saturday.
They say, however, the organizing committee is within its right to 鈥渢ake the appropriate decision鈥� in 鈥渆xceptional cases.鈥�
Many squads have been affected by coronavirus cases in the buildup to the tournament in Cameroon that starts on Sunday.