Croatia cancel plans to be based in Scotland during Euro 2020
The Croatian federation said UEFA had recommended the move.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Croatia have cancelled their plans to stay in St Andrews during Euro 2020 over concerns around self-isolation regulations.
The 2018 World Cup finalists were due to be based on Scotland’s east coast during the finals but will now stay at their training centre in Rovinj apart from when travelling to their games.
A statement from the Croatian federation said the move followed a recommendation to do so from tournament organisers UEFA
“The federation received a recommendation from UEFA to change the location of its team base camp, due to the potential impact of the Scottish Covid-19 regulations on the national team’s daily routines,” the statement read.
“The federation was unwilling to risk the possibility of positive PCR results causing a large part of the team and team staff to be issued mandatory self-isolation orders, which is why it has decided to change its original plan of having the team based in St Andrews during the Euro.”
In Scotland anyone deemed to be a close contact of a person testing positive must self-isolate for 10 days from the point of last contact.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said: “Considering the present circumstances, I think this is the best option for the team.
- England v Croatia (Wembley, June 13, 2pm)
- Scotland v Czech Republic (Hampden, June 14, 2pm)
- Croatia v Czech Republic (Hampden, June 18, 5pm)
- England v Scotland (Wembley, June 18, 8pm)
- England v Czech Republic (Wembley, June 22, 8pm)
- Scotland v Croatia (Hampden, June 22, 8pm)
“We know that we’ll have excellent conditions here, that the accommodation will be impeccable, and that the training ground is of high quality – in the limited amount of time we had to make this decision, no other location could guarantee us all of the above.
“We’ll do our best to keep the team isolated and in peace, but I’m sure that the support of Croatian fans here can only bring us extra energy and motivation.
“This is the best outcome that we could reach in these strange times, and we now have a unique opportunity to spend this tournament in our own country.”
Croatia face England at Wembley in their opening match on June 13, before taking on the Czech Republic at Hampden Park on June 18 and Scotland at the same venue on June 22.
The Czechs cancelled their own plans to stay in Scotland on Saturday, also citing Covid-19 rules. They had been booked to stay at the Scottish national training centre in Oriam.