Linfield have been handed a bye to the first qualifying round of the Champions League after UEFA ruled that KF Drita should forfeit this week's preliminary round tie with the Blues.
The Kosovan champions were unable to play the Big Two giants in Nyon on Tuesday night after two of their players tested positive for Covid-19.
And in keeping with new rules around coronavirus, UEFA has ruled that the tie be “forfeited” by Drita and a 3-0 win awarded to Linfield.
It means the Blues will progress to the first qualifying round where they will face Legia Warsaw in the Polish capital on Tuesday, August 18.
After today's meeting of Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary body it was ruled that Drita are “deemed to have lost the match 3-0” in accordance with new Champions League regulations.
The new rules, drawn up to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, state that the team responsible for failing to fulfill a fixture will forfeit the tie 3-0.
And that means Drita, whose entire squad were quarantined by the Swiss health authorities after two positive Covid-19 tests, have been ruled out of the competition.
On its official website, the Kosovan football federation had asked for “understanding” from UEFA and to permit the tie to be played on an alternative date.
In a statement the KFF said: “We ask UEFA for understanding to enable the development of this match in another term and another place in order not to harm our team.”
However, UEFA have ruled against Drita and that means Linfield will progress to face Polish giants Legia Warsaw in the next round early next week.
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