Premier League Covid-19: EPL in complete disarray as 4 more games postponed, will the league pause? Clubs voice against stopping league midway, Follow LIVE Updates

Premier League COVID-19: The Premier League is in the midst of the severe COVID-19 outbreak with the league authorities forced to postpone half of this weekend’s fixtures on Thursday night due to multiple Covid outbreaks. Follow Live updates on InsideSport.IN

Also read: Premier League: Four more Premier League matches postponed for the weekend

So far, Manchester United and Brighton’s fixture had to be postponed after the Red Devils reportedly only had seven outfield players available for the contest. Other matches to be postponed included Southampton vs Brentford, Watford vs Crystal Palace, West Ham United vs Norwich City and Everton vs Leicester City.

With things spiraling out of control, Brentford manager Thomas Frank called for games to be postponed in order to break the chain of infection.

The #PL Board has postponed a further four matches due to be played this weekend because of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases

Full details: https://t.co/9rUcsajUAj#SOUBRE | #WATCRY | #WHUNOR | #EVELEI pic.twitter.com/NeoGSHSF6t

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2021

“The Covid cases are going through the roof at all Premier League clubs,’ he said. “To postpone this round and the Carabao Cup would give everyone a week to clean the training ground so everything is fine and we break the chain at every club,” was Frank’s honest assessment.

However, the Premier League has insisted that the show must go on and are confident emergency protocols introduced earlier this week – including daily testing for all players and staff – can stem the flow of the virus.

A statement read, “The League understands fans will be disappointed these matches have had to be postponed and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused. All other fixtures due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed.”

All the decisions regarding postponement of matches were signed off at an emergency meeting of the Premier League Board.

 

#MUFC are down to just seven available first-team players following Covid-19 outbreak, which has led to their match against Brighton being postponed.pic.twitter.com/XoiRP0t4AK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 16, 2021

Many top-flight executives who signed off on the the league’s emergency protocols still bear the scars of the suspension last year. The lockdown in 2020 had created a football crisis, involving rescheduling, neutral grounds, broadcast rebates, medical protocols and financial aid for the lower leagues.

The Premier League were forced to hand back £223million to main domestic rights holders Sky Sports and BT Sport during the first lockdown.

Teams severely affected

Brentford: The Bees have 13 cases among players and staff. Even their training ground had to be shut.

Leicester: After their initial proposal for postponement was rejected, the Premier League had to postpone the Foxes meeting with Tottenham after several players got infected. Their training ground was closed on Thursday to contain the outbreak. Now their weekend trip to Everton is also off.

Manchester United: Only nine outfield players were available for their clash against Brentford with the number dwindling to seven for the Brighton game.

Brighton: Wolves game went ahead despite positive cases but weekend game postponed.

Norwich: Due to insufficient players available, the Canaries clash with West Ham has been postponed.

Watford: Burnley game postponed just hours before kick-off. Case numbers currently unknown. Crystal Palace game now postponed.

Tottenham: The first club to be hit by the Omicron strain. Games against Brighton and Rennes postponed after cases reached double digits among players and staff.

Chelsea: Blues the latest club to be hit by Covid outbreak. Game with Everton went ahead with Chelsea missing several key players.