Manchester City’s clash at Everton was
postponed on Monday after an outbreak of multiple positive cases at City.
“The Premier League can today confirm that
between Monday 21 December and Sunday 27 December, 1,479 players and club staff
were tested for Covid-19,” the league said in a statement.
“Of these, there were 18 new positive
tests. Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a
period of 10 days.”
That figure surpassed the previous highest
figure recorded of 16 for November 9-15.
Sheffield United said they have recorded a
number of positive tests, but their trip to Burnley later on Tuesday and the
other six Premier League games this midweek are still set to go ahead.
“Sheffield United can confirm the club
recorded a number of positive coronavirus tests after the latest round of
testing,” the Blades said in a statement.
“The individuals who have tested positive
have now entered into a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier
League and Government guidelines.”
Southampton revealed that manager Ralph
Hassenhuttl will not be in attendance for his side’s match against West Ham as
a member of his household has tested positive.
City had already announced on Christmas Day
there had been four positive tests at the club for players Kyle Walker and
Gabriel Jesus and two staff members prior to the latest positive cases on
Monday.
The club’s training ground has been closed
for an “indeterminate period” with further testing on players and staff to take
place before it can reopen.
City are due to face Chelsea away in the
Premier League on Sunday and Manchester United in the League Cup semi-finals on
January 6.
The Everton-City postponement was just the
second time that a Premier League game has been called off due to Covid-19
since the 2019/20 season resumed in June.
Aston Villa’s clash with Newcastle earlier
this month was postponed due to an outbreak at Newcastle’s training ground.
However, the Premier League insisted the
protocols put in place are still stringent enough to prevent another shutdown
like the three-month stoppage between March and June earlier this year.
“The Premier League continues to have full
confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are
implementing them,” the league said in a statement on Monday.
Further down the English football pyramid,
postponements are mounting with seven of the 12 games scheduled for Tuesday in
League One called off due to Covid-19 infections.
The number of positive tests recorded over
a 24-hour period in England and Wales hit new high of 41,385 Monday, according
to UK government figures.
“I think we all sensed this next period
might be a tough one with what’s been happening pre-Christmas with Covid in
general,” said Chelsea manager Frank Lampard with Sunday’s clash with City now
in doubt.
“I think the Premier League and clubs have
done a great job to keep football going in difficult circumstances, so let’s
hope we can keep it going.”