Sheffield United midfielder's international ambitions are dealt a blow because of Covid-19 scare

The decision, taken because of Covid-19 concerns, was taken only hours before the friendly match was set to kick-off at the Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo.

Munas Dabbur, the Israeli striker, tested positive for the respiratory disease earlier this week but was not deemed to have been in close contact with any of his team mates before being placed in isolation.

Pal Bjerketvedt, of the Norwegian FA, said: “It is of course sad to cancel a match hours before kick-off. At the same time, it underlines the seriousness of the situation we are in.”

“Now that the health authorities are unsure of the risk of spreading after an outbreak of infection in the Israeli squad and recommend cancelling the match, we will of course follow this.”