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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Walker

Scotland Euro 2020 play-off in doubt as Norway considers radical law change

Scotland could face an unexpected hurdle in their bid to reach Euro 2020, as Norway considers banning foreign travel until January.

Steve Clarke 's side face a play-off with Israel at home, with the winner facing either the Norwegians or Serbia for a place in the finals.

Should we make it, matches at the finals will be staged at Hampden so Scotland would have home games against Croatia and the Czech Republic, as well as a trip to face England at Wembley.

But the coronavirus could throw a spanner in the works as Norway considers banning almost all foreigners from entering the country until January 1 2021.

Norway have already announced their borders are closed to all visitors until August and have now proposed a new law that forbids foreign nationals who lack a residence or work permit in Norway until January 1. Only diplomats, truck-drivers, and fishing vessel crew are exempted, meaning sports teams would be prevented from entering.

The country's Justice Minister, Monica Maeland said: "We need control and if we start exempting certain events then it becomes very confusing.

"Until this legislation is abolished, it is extremely  unrealistic to host any international sporting events in Norway."

And Norway's Director of Health, Espen Nakstad, said: "There will no exemptions for sport, that includes football. Basically everyone has to follow the same rules in Norway. That's what people want here."

Norwegian FA spokesman Gro Tvedt Anderssen stated: "We need to wait to get confirmation of the regulations if the law is passed."

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