SGame cancellations, record numbers, tight deadlines: The corona pandemic has the English Premier League more and more under control at the turn of the year. In view of the 18 new cases never reached before within a week, the calls for an interruption in gaming operations are getting louder. “I’m very worried about myself and about football in general. If that has to be done, we have to do it, “said West Bromwich Albion team manager Sam Allardyce after the 5-0 home defeat by Leeds United, adding:” Everyone’s safety is more important than anything else. “
For example, the London derby at hosts Tottenham Hotspur had to be postponed due to several corona infections at Fulham FC. The game should start at 7:00 p.m. “We can confirm that our Premier League game against Fulham, which was supposed to take place this evening, has been postponed,” said Tottenham on Wednesday afternoon. Fulham asked for the relocation because several corona cases had occurred in the team among professionals and in the supervisory staff. Details of the rescheduling of the derby will be informed promptly.
The coronavirus mutation discovered in Great Britain is of particular concern. The numbers are increasing across the country. “When I listen to the news, the mutated virus spreads faster than the original virus. So we can only do the right thing, which is to break the circuit, ”Allardyce said.
A forced break would, however, plunge those responsible into a chaos of appointments. The overcrowded calendar hardly offers any alternatives. Many clubs are also active internationally in the Champions and Europa League. “When should we play the games?” Asked team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from record champions Manchester United: “We all know that this year is so difficult, but I don’t think stopping the games will make a big difference.”
The numbers are increasing
Two Premier League games had to be postponed in December. On Monday, the Manchester City encounter at Everton FC could not be played. A corona test series at the Citizens had previously brought “some positive results” again. Ilkay Gündogan and his teammates then went into isolation. It is questionable whether the game at Chelsea on January 3rd can take place as planned.
In total, the Premier League reported 45 corona cases in December. Team manager Ralph Hasenhüttl from Southampton FC is also in isolation after a positive test in his household. The former coach of the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig therefore missed the game against West Ham United (0-0) on Tuesday evening.
The numbers are increasing despite “very strict protocols,” as Burnley team manager Sean Dyche noted. The problem: “The players have their lives. They have families and we are told that the virus is everywhere, so we can only stay within the guidelines. ”Like Allardyce, however, he can also imagine an interruption in gaming:“ If the numbers continue to rise, we have to meet worry about.”
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