Spain’s Euro 2020 squad will be vaccinated by the country’s army ahead of their first Euro 2020 fixture after Sergio Busquets and Diego Llorente tested positive for Covid-19.
Luis Enrique’s men were forced to go into isolation after two squad members tested positive for coronavirus less than eight days before their Group E opening against Sweden. First, Captain Sergio Busquets returned a positive test result on Sunday before Diego Llorente tested positive two days later to leave Enrique scratching his head.
But now, Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that the players will be vaccinated to protect them from the virus and stop the further spread of the disease.
According to ESPN, who reported the news, the vaccination was finally approved by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, just five days before Spain play their first European Championship match.
According to the report, the decision to vaccinate the entire squad came after pressure from the Spanish football federation and the Ministry of Culture and Sport over the last week.
Luis Enrique’s side will play Sweden in Seville next Monday in their first group game before taking on Poland and Slovakia.
Speaking about the development within the camp, stand-in captain Jordi Alba said the squad are prepared for the unpleasant situation but hopes that the affected players return soon.
When the test results arrive, we look around at each other, and you can see there’s uncertainty, but you have to get through it,” Jordi Alba said.
“We’ve been in this exceptional situation all season, and in a way, I don’t want to say we’re used to it, but prepared, at least… You can imagine, it’s a really unpleasant situation, but we’ll get through it.
“I hope both Busi [Busquets] and [Diego] Llorente can come back… It would make me so happy to give the armband back to Busi. He’s the best in the world in his position, a great teammate and person. It’s really hard to be here, excited about playing the Euros; they tell you you’re positive and send you home.”
It is still unclear which vaccine the national team will receive and how it will be administered, but the decision to go on with the vaccination has been reached with the military on standby to help out in the exercise.
