<p>LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The Ukrainian soccer federation lost its appeal against UEFA on Friday over forfeiting a Nations League game in Switzerland because of COVID-19 cases in the team.</p>
<p>The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling relegates Ukraine to the Nations League second tier next year and reprieves Switzerland, which was awarded a 3-0 win by default. </p>
<p>Ukraine <a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-ukraine-international-soccer-coronavirus-pandemic-switzerland-3dd9df0d090c1fefb3391774fb5f88b0">had asked the court</a> to order UEFA to reschedule the game or draw lots to decide the result. The options would have been a 1-0 win for either team or 0-0.</p>
<p>The case is the latest to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-international-soccer-sports-europe-champions-league-5507d29663d12bb8f0ddb4d62b692601">uphold UEFA’s emergency rules</a> for organizing international games safely during the coronavirus pandemic.</p>
<p>Ukraine’s whole squad was put into quarantine by medical officials in the Swiss city of Lucerne last November after several positive tests in mandatory pre-game testing. </p>
<p>UEFA protocols for games it organizes during the pandemic recognize the decision-making power of public authorities.</p>
<p>It was the final game for both countries in their four-team Nations League group.</p>
<p>The CAS judges decided “in the absence of viable rescheduling options being available, (Ukraine) was to be held responsible for the match not taking place.”</p>
<p>However, the judges said the Ukraine federation was “an unfortunate victim of the COVID-19 pandemic” and did not award legal costs to UEFA or the Swiss soccer body.</p>
<hr />
<p>More AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a></p>
