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The FIVB can confirm that the Dominican Republic boys' national under 19 volleyball team has withdrawn from the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship due to exceptional circumstances.

These exceptional circumstances include five players of the Dominican Republic team needing to comply with quarantine rules in their country following a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case. In view of the mandatory quarantine period in place as per the guidance of the Dominican Republic authorities and the fact that it would not have been possible for the Dominican Republic to replace these five players at such short notice, the team decided to withdraw from the competition. In addition, it will not be possible to replace the Dominican Republic team with another national team as the competition is scheduled to start on August 24.

The specific competition regulations establish that, in the case that a team is unable to produce a minimum of six players, a match is automatically forfeited. This policy will therefore be applied for all of the Dominican Republic's team’s matches, and the team will be ranked in last place (20) 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 are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, which is the FIVB’s number one priority.