Liverpool vs Leeds and Wolves vs Watford postponed on Boxing Day due to Covid-19 cases - Independent 23/12/21
Leeds’ training ground has been closed after fresh Covid cases while several Watford players remain in isolation following their outbreak last week
Lawrence Ostlere
Liverpool’s Premier League match with Leeds United and
Watford’s visit to Wolves on Boxing Day have both been postponed due to
Covid-19 cases among the away squads.
Both Leeds and Watford put in requests this week to call off
their respective away games, which had been scheduled for 12.30pm on Sunday 26
December.
Leeds’ squad had already been decimated by injuries and
illness, forcing head coach Marcelo Bielsa to name several youth players among
his substitutes in their weekend defeat by Arsenal. Fresh cases of Covid-19 in
the camp have further limited his options, and the club’s training ground has
been closed after advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Watford still have several players in isolation following
cases in the build-up to last weekend’s postponed fixture with Crystal Palace.
However, their match with West Ham on 28 December is expected to go ahead.
The Premier League said its board had taken the decisions as
early as possible in order to avoid situations which have arisen in recent weeks
when matches have been called off with as little as two hours’ notice, like
Burnley’s visit to Aston Villa, much to the ire of travelling supporters.
The league said in a statement: “The board today was able to
make its decisions in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their
supporters. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those
fans’ festive plans.
“The league is aware that the decision to postpone these two
matches will disappoint supporters and understands their frustrations at a
special time of year when fans look forward to attending and watching football
games. The League aims to provide as much clarity as possible, but
unfortunately postponements sometimes have to be made at short notice, as
safety is the priority. The League will endeavour to keep supporters updated if
games become at risk on a match day.”
The Premier League remains adamant that fixtures will go
ahead where possible. Current guidelines state that where a team can field 14
senior players including a goalkeeper, they will not be granted permission to
postpone a fixture.
Some rearranged matches are likely to be rescheduled in
January. The Premier League has successfully persuaded the FA to do away with
replays in the third and fourth rounds of the competition to keep midweek dates
free, and are working with the English Football League (EFL) in the hope of
reducing the Carabao Cup semi-finals from two-legged ties to a single match.
The statement added: “The board assesses applications to
postpone matches on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and adapted
Covid-19 postponement guidance introduced to clubs in light of the new Omicron
variant. The board will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a
club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the Covid-19
outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and
play the match. The board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition
and other people the club representatives may come into contact with.
“While recognising a number of clubs are experiencing
Covid-19 outbreaks, it is the clubs’ and the League’s collective intention to
continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible. The health and
wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority and the League will continue to
monitor and reflect public health guidance, always proceeding with caution. In
light of the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, the Premier
League has reintroduced emergency measures. These include protocols such as
more frequent testing, wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social
distancing and limiting treatment time.”