Mueez Ajao
– A record 103 Premier League players and staff tested positive for Covid in the seven days up to and including 26 December, new figures show.
– The previous weekly league record was 90 cases, announced a week ago.
– A total of 15,186 tests were carried out between 20 and 26 December, as the Premier League has reintroduced daily testing of players and staff.
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– Fifteen English top-flight games have been called off so far during December because of coronavirus cases.
– A Premier League statement said: “The Premier League’s Covid-19 emergency measures include protocols such as wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing, limiting treatment time, as well as the increased testing.
– “The league is continuing to work with clubs to keep people safe by helping mitigate the risks of Covid-19 within their squads. We are also liaising closely with the government, local authorities and supporter groups, while being responsive to any future changes to national or local guidance.”
– Premier League and EFL clubs recently chose to fulfil festive fixtures despite ongoing Covid-19 disruption.
– The Premier League’s 20 clubs met last week to discuss the fixture list following a number of postponements.
– No vote took place, with two rounds of fixtures remaining in place across five days from 26 December, while the EFL will play games “where it is safe to do so”.
– Clubs were advised if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games.
– Manchester United were set to visit Newcastle later on Monday to play their first game in more than two weeks following a Covid outbreak within the squad.
– Watford’s game against West Ham on Tuesday will also be their first game since a 2-1 defeat at Brentford on 10 December.
– Wolves’ scheduled trip to Arsenal on Tuesday has been postponed because of Covid-19 cases in the Midlands club’s camp, with Leeds United’s top-flight game against Aston Villa on Tuesday has also been postponed because of an outbreak at the Yorkshire club.
– Several EFL fixtures on 29 and 30 December have been called off too.
