What are the new Premier League guidelines for calling off games due to Covid-19, and which games have already been canceled?
As the countdown to the festive time begins, the Covid-19 epidemic continues, with the Omicron form causing increases across the UK.
Several Premier League games have already been postponed because of outbreaks within clubs – so what are the new restrictions for Covid-19, and will there be any further postponements?
Which games in 2021-22 Premier League have been rescheduled due to Covid-19?
Tottenham’s match against Brentford was the first Premier League fixture to be postponed owing to a Covid-19 outbreak, having been scheduled on December 12th.
Manchester United also saw their clash with Brentford postponed a few days later after the club reported that numerous first-team staff and players had tested positive for the virus, necessitating the suspension of first-team operations at Carrington.
Burnley’s clash against Watford on December 15 was called off hours before kickoff due to a Covid outbreak among the Hornets’ team.
Spurs’ top-flight commitments were still unfulfilled a day later, and a trip to Leicester had to be canceled.
Manchester United’s home game against Brighton on December 18 has been postponed due to “a number of players and support staff having to isolate,” with top-flight matchups featuring Southampton, Brentford, Watford, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Norwich having to be rescheduled.
The match between Aston Villa and Burnley was called off over two hours before it was scheduled to start “because of an elevated number of positive Covid-19 test findings” in the home side’s playing group.
Everton and Leicester City were unable to complete their planned fixture at Goodison Park on December 19.
In the run-up to Christmas, outbreaks persisted, with Leeds having to postpone their trip to Liverpool until Boxing Day, Watford unable to face Wolves, and Everton having their request to reschedule a trip to Burnley accepted.
Despite the fact that the festive season has begun, prior postponements have had repercussions, with Leeds being forced to cancel their match with Aston Villa after the Reds pulled out of their Boxing Day match, and Arsenal’s December 28 match with Wolves being postponed due to the latter’s inability to field a full team due to absences.
Newcastle’s December 30 game against Everton was postponed due to a series of positive tests in the Magpies’ squad following their December 27 match against Manchester United.
After a weekend of FA Cup fixtures, Norwich City’s visit to Leicester City was the first fixture to be postponed on New Year’s Day, with Everton’s fixture against Leicester on January 9 also being postponed.
The Foxes later stated that their trip to Burnley, which was scheduled for January 15, would have to be rescheduled as well.
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Which clubs in the Premier League have had positive cases?
Along with Tottenham and Manchester United, Leicester has also had positive cases, with some players unable to go to Italy for their final Europa League group match against Napoli.
There were “three or four” positive cases at Brighton, according to Graham Potter, while Dean Smith of Norwich reported he had one player in isolation and that an outbreak had occurred at Brentford.
Chelsea has also been severely struck, with Mateo Kovacic and three other first-teamers at Stamford Bridge all reporting positive test results.
Covid tests ruled out players like Virgil van Dijk and Thiago, while positive results at Leeds and Watford left them short on numbers.
Injury and positive coronavirus cases have decimated Everton’s ranks, much like they have at Elland Road.
What are the Premier League’s cancellation rules in the event of Covid-19?
In a statement, the Premier League said: “The Board considers delay requests on a case-by-case basis, using existing rules and COVID-19 postponement instructions distributed to all teams.
“It will look at things including a club’s ability to field a team, the status, severity, and potential impact of the COVID-19 epidemic at the club, and the players’ capacity to safely prepare for and play the match. The Board must also evaluate the potential hazards to the opposition and others with whom the club representatives may come into touch.
“The Premier League has reintroduced Emergency Measures, with the health and wellbeing of all players and staff taking precedence, and in view of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases across the country.”
“These include methods such as more regular testing, wearing facial coverings indoors, observing social separation, and limiting treatment time,”.
What is the status of Covid-19 in the UK?
The increase in positive cases comes as the UK is dealing with yet another Covid-19 outbreak, this time with the new Omicron variant.
According to the Premier League, 69 % of players have been fully vaccinated as of October, with 81 % having gotten their first dose.
But, people who choose to remain unvaccinated are still at risk, and booster shots are still being administered in the country for those who are eligible.
To attend events with crowds of more than 10,000 people in England, fans will be required to show confirmation of double vaccination or a negative test.