We knew this season was going to be complicated but could you envision this?
Moi and Ajer are back in Glasgow and were only released and allowed to fly by the government in Norway under the condition they continue their isolation back in Scotland. That goes for all the Norway players who were around a positive case in their international camp over the past week.
Former BT Sports commentator Derek Rae now covers the Bundesliga for ESPN and has been looking into the issue of Norway players being allowed to play for their clubs next weekend. At the moment, their isolation should finish next Monday under Norway law.
However, Rae has claimed Borussia Dortmund are relaxed about the isolation process and are willing to play Halland if he tests negative again before their next fixture.
Taking to social media, Derek Rae wrote:
“Re: Norwegian players returning to Bundesliga clubs – Haaland. Sörloth, Jarstein. Several German & Norwegian sources reporting if they were to play for their clubs this weekend it would be a violation of Norway quarantine rules potentially carrying fines & even prison under Norway law.
“By way of an example, @sportschau is reporting that this would therefore also apply in Germany. Players had to agree to this before being released. Would assume similar for, eg Celtic players in Scotland. More to come no doubt.
“Kicker now reporting that BVB for example are relatively relaxed about this & feel that upon completion of a 3rd negative test Haaland (who has apparently had 2 already) can get back to business. They feel German rules on this supersede those of Norway.
“Fans tend to back their clubs to the hilt on these matters. But if your government releases you from quarantine & attaches conditions, isn’t it on you as a national of that country to abide by those conditions, as a national of that country? In a pandemic? At least morally?”
The issue for Celtic will be what the Scottish Government makes of this. We can’t rely on BVB saying they’re going to play a Norway player as it’s in another country. We’ve already seen Kieran Tierney be allowed to play while Ryan Christie was forced to isolate after the same incident.
If Celtic lose Moi and Ajer for the trip to Hibernian, it’s a big blow but health and safety again would have to take precedent. The club are still seeking guidance.
