England-Scotland clash called off at half-time due to COVID case

An under-19 friendly between England and Scotland was abandoned at half-time on Thursday after Scotland manager Billy Stark tested positive for coronavirus.

England were 3-1 up in the game at the Football Association’s St George’s Park training complex when play was halted as a “precaution” as soon as news of Stark’s positive test was known.

A second friendly between the teams on Sunday has been postponed.

“Billy will now travel home in isolation and will self-isolate for 10 days,” the Scottish Football Association said in a statement.

“The playing group and the rest of the backroom team will undertake precautionary self-isolation for 14 days, whilst the Scottish Government undertakes a formal risk assessment to assess who Stark was in close contact with during the camp.”

England’s senior team have not been affected by the incident as they have been based at Pennyhill Park in Surrey in the build-up to a trio of international fixtures, starting with a friendly against Wales on Thursday.

Scotland have been badly affected ahead of their Euro 2020 play-off against Israel due to a positive test for Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong that has also forced Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie into self-isolation.