Three teams enter bio-bubble for I-League qualifiers

KOLKATA: Bhawanipore FC, Garhwal FC and FC Bengaluru United are the three teams among the five participating in the upcoming I-League qualifiers which entered the bio-bubble in the city on Friday.
The players and support staff of the three teams, which have cleared the RT-PCR test (Gold-standard test) twice as per the All India Football Federation (AIFF) guidelines, have been put up at a city hotel.
The other two teams, Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) and ARA FC, have still one RT-PCR test to clear before they can enter the bio-bubble. ARA FC are scheduled to undergo their final test on Saturday followed by MSC on Monday.
The members of the teams that have entered the bio-bubble will now have to undergo a four-day quarantine period before they can start training. AIFF will monitor every member through regular checks --- including body temperature and oxygen level --- as well as RT-PCR tests on pre-determined dates.
The first scheduled RT-PCR test in the bio-bubble will be conducted on Monday. If any team member tests positive, he will be isolated while others will be allowed to resume training.
Once inside the bio-bubble, the team members cannot come in contact with anyone who is not part of the bubble.
The qualifiers will start on October 8 at the Salt Lake Stadium and Kalyani Stadium.