Czech in world-leading Covid crisis as Rangers face nervous Euro wait

Add as preferred source on Google

The Czech Republic is in the midst of the world’s worst surge in Covid-19 cases the week before Rangers are scheduled to visit to play Slavia Prague.

The Gers are set to face off against the Czech Champions in the Last 16 of the Europa League with the prize a place in the Quarter Finals.

But just over seven days from when the Gers are set to travel to the country (match on March 11^th) new lockdown measures have been introduced amid a worrying surge in cases.

According to Reuters, the Czech Republic is battling “the world’s worst surge in Covid-19 infections” with the nation deploying soldiers and police officers to enforce strict lockdown rules.

The country’s Prime Minister Andrej Babis has said the healthcare system faces collapse with the nation’s rate of infection 11 times higher than that of Germany.

It’s a serious situation but as of yet it is not clear just how this will impact Rangers’ trip to the nation next week.

We’ve already seen numerous games across Europe rescheduled in grounds in different countries such has been the situation between European nations.

For example, Liverpool played the German leg of their tie against RB Leipzig in Budapest whilst Arsenal faced off against Benfica in Greece.

UEFA have introduced a variety of new guidelines relating to knock-out round European football in the Europa and Champions Leagues with the onus on the home team to organise the match.

Rangers must obtain authority to both leave Scotland and enter Czechia with UEFA required to be notified if clubs cannot obtain permissions.

If these restrictions are imposed by the nation of the home club, the home club must propose an alternative venue which could hypothetically be in a neutral country.

If they cannot do this is in the appropriate time the home club will be considered to have forfeited and lose the tie 3-0.

Read a summary of the new rules HERE and you can check out UEFA’s official regulations HERE.

English Premier League outfit Leicester City travelled to Czechia for the first leg of their tie and at the time of writing there is no suggestion Rangers won’t be free to do the same.

As for the return leg on March 18th, the Czech’s travelled to England and with an exemption given to elite sport unless they come from the banned list, which the Czech Republic is currently not on, as it stands they’ll be able to travel to Scotland.

Slavia will certainly prove a stiff test for Rangers with a ferocious behind-the-scenes video showing just how much success in Europe means to their players.