December 20 – Premier League clubs were convening today to discuss the Covid-19 crisis engulfing the competition that saw six out of 10 games called off over the weekend.
Opinions are varied with some managers advocating a break in play and others saying games should continue.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says the situation is so bad that the top flight’s integrity is on a knife edge.
“When you start losing players to Covid then the worry is the competition becomes slightly unfair and I don’t think anyone wants to see that,” said Howe. “A decision needs to be made to ensure integrity is maintained in the competition. People want to see a fair league and not disparity in games and players missing.
“I’m desperate to continue the programme myself but the welfare of the players and supporters has to come first.”
Each decision is taken on a case-by-case basis, but clubs are guided that if 14 or more players are available then permission will not be granted to postpone.
“There are obviously a lot of concerns and a lot of unanswered questions,” Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard said.
Chelsea were unhappy a request to postpone Sunday’s Premier League match at Wolves, which ended 0-0, was rejected despite their seven positive cases.
Boss Thomas Tuchel said: “We were put in a huge risk of health and safety to the players, not just because of Covid but also physically. I’m not sure if I’ll catch Covid. Hopefully, I will not catch it.”
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