HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Bermuda’s World Cup qualifier against Aruba on March 30 has been switched to the IMG Academy Complex in Bradenton, Florida, after reports surfaced here that at least one Bermudian player had failed a COVID-19 test.
The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) said the move from Bermuda’s National Stadium would “minimise travel fatigue and possible exposure to the virus”.
The Aruba match comes five days after Bermuda take on Canada in Orlando in another qualifier, which was due to be held in Canada but was moved because of coronavirus restrictions.
The BFA and national coach Kyle Lightbourne would not be drawn on Friday’s media reports of COVID-19 in the camp after the squad flew home from Miami a week ago following a seven-day training session in Bradenton, where they also played the Bahamas twice, winning the first friendly 3-0 and drawing the second 0-0.
The BFA merely said that the 28-member travelling party is “currently adhering to the established public health quarantine guidelines”.
“The recent senior men’s national team training camp in Bradenton, Florida, was a great opportunity to get valuable training and game minutes for all of the players and coaching staff,” a BFA statement said.
“It gave the coaching staff the opportunity to have a look at new and fringe players. The training complex at IMG Academy was a great platform for youngsters Remy Coddington and Enrique Russell to score their first goals at the senior international level.
“The camp was also an opportunity to experience conditions in Florida and fully exercise the enhanced travel protocols. The lessons learnt in all aspects were invaluable.
“The BFA is aware of the speculation surrounding the status of the national team since their return to the Island.
“It is accepted policy that there would be no comment of any kind on individual health circumstances or provide any information that could lead to disclosing personal information.
“We can confirm the team delegation is currently adhering to the established public health quarantine guidelines.”
Referring to the Aruba game, the BFA said: “This switch in the venue will minimise travel fatigue, possible exposure to the virus, and any health restrictions that may be imposed if the team were to travel back to Bermuda following the match versus the Canada national team on March 25 in Orlando, Florida.”
Bermuda are also due to take on Suriname and the Cayman Islands in June in other qualifiers for Qatar 2022.
