Spain in Covid chaos days before Euro 2020 after Sergio Busquests’ positive test
Spain's Euro 2020 preparations have descended into chaos after captain Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid-19 a week before their opening fixture.
Busquets was involved in La Roja's warm-up friendly against Portugal last Friday, which saw the two countries play out a 0-0 draw.
But just two days after that stalemate it emerged that Busquets had returned a positive coronavirus test, sending Luis Enrique's camp into crisis just over a week out from their curtain raiser against Sweden.
Despite the rest of the squad and coaching staff all testing negative, they too are required to self-isolate and train alone as close contacts of the Barcelona midfielder.
As a result, Spain's Under-21 players and manager Luis de la Fuente have been drafted in to play their final warm-up friendly against Lithuania on Tuesday night, coming as a major frustration to Enrique in his preparations for Euro 2020.
Spain have also created a "parallel bubble" in the event that further positive tests arrive and more replacements are required.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga became the sixth player to join that bubble on Monday morning, following Leeds forward Rodrigo Moreno, West Ham ace Pablo Fornals, Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler, Celta Vigo winger Brais Mendez and Villarreal defender Raul Albiol.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation said: "In addition, once the game against Lithuania is over, a small group of footballers yet to be confirmed will join the training sessions of the senior team under the same conditions as the previous ones.
"They will train at different times and will not mix in any case with those already called up."
Spain will be without Busquets when they get their Euro 2020 campaign underway against Sweden as he continues to serve his mandatory self-isolation period.
He could return in time for their second outing against Poland five days later barring another positive test.
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The country's Sports Minister Jose Manuel Rodriguez has revealed the squad will all be given a Covid-19 vaccine shot on Wednesday.
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