UEFA has awarded Norway a regulatory 3-0 defeat following the cancellation of Sunday night’s game against Romania. With that result, Romania has now collected seven points and Northern Ireland is relegated from Division B of the Nations League. Northern Ireland will play against Romania on Wednesday evening at 8.45 p.m., but the country is now seven points behind the number three.

The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) has five days to request further clarification from UEFA and will then decide whether to appeal the ruling. The game between Romania and Norway was canceled because the Norwegian government did not allow the footballers to fly to Bucharest. The selection of national coach Lars Lagerbäck had to remain in quarantine by the Ministry of Health after a positive corona test by captain Omar Elabdellaoui, A-international of Galatasaray.

Quarantine is still underway, meaning Norway put together a completely new squad this week for Wednesday night’s game against Austria. If Norway wins that match 1-2, or by a bigger difference, it will take top spot from Austria and an appeal doesn’t seem necessary. The difference between the two countries is currently three points; the mutual result is decisive in the event of a tie.

Last week, Norway’s friendly match against Israel in Oslo was also canceled. A few hours before kick-off, the Norwegian authorities banned the game after an Israeli player had tested positive. Incidentally, the new selection of Norway has three players from the Eredivisie: Hakon Evjen (AZ), Jörgen Strand Larsen (FC Groningen) and Sondre Tronstad (Vitesse).