London: A total of nine Premier League games have been postponed in light of the rising Covid 19 cases in the United Kingdom. Previously, Manchester United’s match with Brighton on Saturday( December 18) was called off, and also Leicester City’s game with Tottenham on Thursday ( December 23).
The other games that are called off include, Tottenham’s match against Brighton last Sunday ( December 12), Brentford’s game with Manchester United on Tuesday ( December 21), and Burnley’s match against Watford on Wednesday ( December 22). The very latest news confirms the cancellation of Southampton vs Brentford, Watford vs Crystal Palace, West Ham vs Norwich, and Everton vs Leicester.
Premier League’s criteria to postpone a match is when a club with a Covid outbreak has less than 14 players available which include one goalkeeper. The Premier League board will also consider a few other factors such as whether the training ground is closed; whether players can prepare properly; also whether the outbreak is under control or not, to make a case by case decision.
After the match between United and Brighton was canceled the club issued a statement saying,” “The health of players and staff is our priority. Given the number of players and support staff having to isolate due to Covid-19, the club had no option other than to request the match be rearranged. We regret any disappointment and inconvenience caused to fans by the postponement.”
