Premier League clubs vote against ‘festive firebreak’ despite rising Covid-19 cases
The festive football fixture list will go ahead after Premier League clubs reportedly rejected the idea of postponing Christmas matches at a meeting on Monday.
Officials from the 20 clubs met with Premier League officials to discuss concerns over rising Covid-19 cases. The latest Omicron variant, which is deemed more infectious than previous variants is fuelling a surge of cases. Six Premier league matches were axed over the weekend. And in total 10 Premier League games have been lost so far this season.
But a Christmas ‘circuit breaker’, which would have involved postponing a round of fixtures from December 28 to 30, has not been supported. Instead those games, as well as the Boxing Day programme will go ahead.
The Daily Mail “understands that the desire is to carry on and try and battle through without an enforced pause”.
The meeting was also used by Premier League officials to iron out rules around postponements.
Clubs have complained after some games were postponed while others went ahead. Chelsea tried to get their home game with Wolves postponed on Sunday, but the Premier League insisted the game went ahead.
Per the report, the Premier League has made clear to clubs they will be expected to use their U21 players to make up the numbers where first-team regulars are ruled out through Covid-19.
Clubs have also been warned thar officials may follow up and investigate reported absences.
EFL fixtures postponed
Boxing Day fixtures at Cardiff, Northampton, Bradford and Newport have been postponed as coronavirus outbreaks continue to cause chaos.
Cardiff were scheduled to host Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship on Sunday. But the Sky Blues say they have “several cases of Covid-19” among their playing squad and staff.
Northampton were set to play at home to Walsall in League Two. Newport were due to take on leaders Forest Green in the same division. Bradford, whose game at Carlisle was called off on Saturday, were set to host Harrogate at Valley Parade.
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