FIVB Statement on COVID-19 protocols at 2021 FIVB Volleyball Women's U20 World Championship

The FIVB can confirm that the Puerto Rico women's national under 20 volleyball team has withdrawn from the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Women's U20 World Championship due to exceptional circumstances.

These exceptional circumstances include two members of the 12-member Puerto Rico team testing positive for COVID-19 prior to departing for Belgium. In view of the mandatory five-day quarantine in place as per the guidance of Belgium authorities and the fact that it would not have been possible for Puerto Rico to replace these two players at such short notice, the team decided to withdraw from the competition. In addition, it will not be possible to replace the Puerto Rico team with another national team as the competition is scheduled to start in two days.

The specific competition regulations establish that, in the case that a team is unable to produce a minimum of six players, the match is automatically forfeited. This policy will therefore be applied for all of the Puerto Rico team’s matches, and the team will be ranked in last place (16) in the Final Standings.

The FIVB remains in close contact with the event organiser and local health authorities. Rigorous health and safety measures at the event continue to be followed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, which is the FIVB’s number one priority.