Geylang International footballer tests positive for COVID-19; match against Balestier Khalsa postponed

A Geylang International (GIFC) footballer has been placed in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

The positive result was detected during the mandatory weekly swab tests that all Singapore Premier League players and club officials are required to undergo, the Football Association of Singapore announced on Tuesday (Sep 14). 

It added that the necessary follow-up action to ensure the health and safety of the GIFC players and officials, including working with the respective venue operators to conduct deep cleaning procedures on their facilities which has begun since Monday, have been taken. 

The entire GIFC squad has been self-isolating with training suspended indefinitely. The remaining players and team officials will undergo Fast & Easy Testing (FET) every two days, ending on Saturday. 

GIFC’s next match against Balestier Khalsa on Sep 19 has been postponed and a rescheduled date will be confirmed again. 

Albirex Niigata (Singapore) FC, who played against GIFC last weekend, had all of their pooled test results return negative. The team will undergo FET on Wednesday and once again on Thursday as a precautionary measure. Similarly, all match officials involved in the game between GIFC and Albirex will undergo at least two rounds of FET.

Albirex’s match against the Lion City Sailors FC on Friday will continue as scheduled, the FAS added.