FAI 'did all we could' over HSE directive to exclude Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah

The FAI executive, who only joined the travelling party to replace the staff member who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier that day, had returned two negative test results in the previous three days

Aaron Connolly, right, and Adam Idah during a Republic of Ireland training session at Tehelné pole in Bratislava, Slovakia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

FAI interim chief executive Gary Owens insists the association had to respect the HSE’s directive to exclude Aaron Connolly and Adam Idah from Thursday’s Euro play-off in Slovakia.

Connolly had been selected by Ireland boss Stephen Kenny to start the semi-final in Bratislava, with Idah earmarked as an impact sub, but the duo’s closeness to a FAI staff member on Tuesday’s charter flight scuppered their involvement.