PUBLIC Health Wales have responded to comments made by Connah's Quay Nomads' manager interpreted as meaning he has "turn a blind eye" to players feeling unwell ahead of a Europa League match.

After Thursday night's 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Tbilisi, manager Andy Morrison appeared to suggest the club ignored the fact three players were feeling unwell.

Prior to the game, it was revealed that three Nomads players had tested positive for coronavirus and were self-isolating.

Now, Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, has issued a statement outlining the advice given to the club.

He said: “On 16 September Public Health Wales was asked for advice by Connah’s Quay Nomads following notification of three positive cases in the players ahead of their match with Dinamo Tbilisi.

“Our advice was consistent with the national guidance, namely that as long as Covid-positive players and their contacts were self-isolating, and social distancing had been observed, the decision of whether the football match should go ahead was up to the football authorities.

“Our assessment of risk and subsequent advice was based on information supplied to Public Health Wales by Connah’s Quay Nomads along with assurances that our advice would be implemented.

“We urge all people who have symptoms of COVID to self-isolate, not attend workplaces, and to seek testing.”

The controversial remarks came in an interview after the game, in which Morrison said: “Three lads have turned up tonight and they’re not well.

"And it’s like ‘lads, I don’t want to hear it. I can’t hear it tonight that you’re ill… let’s just get through it’.

“I’ve been told that before the game and we’ve had to turn a blind eye to it and then you would have never noticed that anyone there tonight wasn’t feeling great.”