L’Équipe report that Qarabağ, the Azeri team Marseille face in the Europa League round of 32, will be allowed to travel to France for Thursday’s first leg as a result of changes in the country’s vaccine policy.
Previously, athletes inoculated with a vaccine not recognised by France – in this case, the Russian Sputnik V – were not able to enter, leading to fears that the fixture may have to be played elsewhere.
Nevertheless, after discussions with UEFA, the French ministry of sports has decided to allow those who are fully vaccinated in their own country and who respect a strict bubble to enter, as long as they test negative.
This decision will also facilitate the organisation of France’s friendlies in March, with South Africa and Ivory Coast to play in Lille and Marseille at the end of the month.