The Qatar Stars League completed coronavirus testing for players and technical staff of clubs yesterday. On Monday six clubs had gone through the process, which was developed by the Qatar Stars League and approved by the Ministry of Public Health, while the other six clubs’ personnel were tested for virus at the Al bin Hamad Al Attiyah Stadium in Al Sadd yesterday.
The players and officials were sent on self-quarantine after the testing, the results of which are expected today. If a player as well as technical and administrative staff test negative, then he is checked into a hotel today. However, if a player of official tests positive then he will undergo the procedures put in place by the Ministry of Public Health.
The first phase of the training will be held from today till June 24, with teams taking precautionary measures and maintaining social distancing. The second round of Covid-19 tests is scheduled for June 24 and 25, from when the teams will train in small groups until the restart of the league.
It has been decided that the teams’ training will be held at the following pitches: Khalifa International Stadium, indoor stadium in Aspire, training grounds for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, clubs’ training grounds.
The QNB Stars League will resume on July 24 at the newly-completed Education City Stadium with Qatar Sports Club taking on Al Rayyan in the Round 18 fixture.
The QNB Stars League was brought to a halt after 17 rounds due to the Covid-19 pandemic with Al Duhail at the top of the table, four points clear of Rayyan. According to the schedule released on Sunday, the remaining rounds are set to be completed by August 22 – with 30 matches to be played in just under a month’s time.
Education City Stadium, one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, will play host to remaining five rounds of QNB Stars League along with two other arenas – Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium. All three stadiums possess the cooling technology, which will help the players cope with the searing temperatures.
Anwar appointed Al Shahania coach
Al Shahania have appointed Nabeel Anwar as their new coach after parting ways with Jose Murcia. Under Spaniard Murcia, Shahania struggled throughout the season and currently are placed bottom of the league.
They have registered just one win and have 10 points after 17 rounds. They will be looking to avoid relegation when the league restarts on July 24.
Murcia was Shahania’s coach from 2017, while Anwar was an assistant to the Spaniard.
Players maintain social distancing as they wait for their turn to get tested at the Al bin Hamad Al Attiyah stadium.
