NEC also cannot escape the corona vicissitudes. The Nijmegen team thought it was time to go well, but the risks were too great for Rogier Meijer’s team. There was a set-up at the training camp, though there was division in the player group about whether or not to train in southern Spain.

eventually it was decided at the end of the morning on Thursday to return to Nijmegen as soon as possible. The club itself states that no positive corona tests have been confirmed among the players and staff. Of the Nijmegen players, the club sees itself returning to the Netherlands earlier than plannedthe club’s statement.

The preparation for the second half of the season can now be picked up at the Eendracht without too many problems. The Thursday morning training was already completed behind closed doors. The club continues in the Netherlands in any case. Government rules regarding the coronavirus apply to fans and to act on the field.

Barreto and Okita already home
Nevertheless, the training could be viewed from a distance via a freely accessible road. Fifteen players and two goalkeepers were on the field. Mikkel Duelund trained apart. Edgar Barreto, Joep van der Sluijs and Jonathan Okita had already left by then. She would not finish the camp anyway, because they were not available for the practice match against HSV on Friday. The German club announced on Thursday at 4:00 pm that NEC die Test game without giving any reason.

With the morning training, the training camp comes to a premature end. The club does not want to give a reason, but it will be to do with the situation of Ajax, which already returned to the Netherlands on Wednesday evening. Vitesse then indicated on Thursday afternoon that it would travel back headlong after several corona cases.The KNVB already announced on Wednesday evening that it would closely monitor the situation of clubs abroad in particular and be in constant contact.

Delay
Competition manager Jan Bluyssen said on Thursday that a coherent postponement of matches is not just an option. “The competition must go on. Everyone will adapt to the circumstances,” Bluyssen said clearly to NOS. “There is no room to just postpone a round of play. Only if a club really cannot bring in a team, a match will be cancelled. We will wait as long as possible for that.”

Putting together a team according to the KNVB have twelve field players and one goalkeeper at your disposal. Bluyssen clearly explains the rules. “Ajax has many more professional players on the payroll than, for example, Helmond Sport, so the situations can differ greatly per club,” he said. “That’s why we take the 25 players who have been on the form the most per team. If ten of more have tested positive, clubs may only ask for a postponement.”

Heracles-home
This will jeopardize the preparation for the first league match of 2022. The advantage for the Nijmegen residents is that the parent on January 15, Heracles Almelo, is also struggling with the vicissitudes. Earlier this week, the club canceled two practice matches due to various infections within the player group.

Photo: Orange Photos