England v Iceland to be played at Wembley after government grants visitors exemption

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Raheem Sterling scored a penalty as England beat Iceland 1-0 in Reykjavik in September

England's Nations League match against Iceland will be played at Wembley on Wednesday after a UK government exemption was given to the away side.

Iceland play Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday and would ordinarily have been subject to a travel ban, prohibiting them from entry into the UK.

The restrictions relate to a new coronavirus strain that has spread from mink to humans.

The FA had said any exemption would be "subject to strict medical protocols".

Following an update to the travel corridor list, the Department for Transport said the government had "announced a limited exemption for a small number of Danish and Icelandic national football players to travel from the UK to Copenhagen and back, without the need to self-isolate".

It added: "This temporary and extremely limited exemption will allow the relevant players and essential staff support to be exempt from the new requirements and will help reduce any disruption for England's up and coming Nations League fixtures."

Since June, elite sportspeople have been exempt from coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

European football governing body Uefa's coronavirus protocols state that international matches can be rescheduled at a date fixed by Uefa, or be played at a neutral venue if necessary.

Germany had been a candidate to host the game if the government did not grant Iceland entry, while Albania's football association had also been willing to provide a neutral venue.

England play the Republic of Ireland in a friendly at Wembley on Thursday. They then travel to Leuven for Sunday's penultimate Nations League group game against Belgium before the match against Iceland on 18 November.