This step was taken at the request of Leeds and Watford. “The board of directors has concluded that Leeds will not be able to play over the weekend due to Covid-19 cases, injuries and illness. In addition, the club’s training area was closed, ”announced the league. Watford would also not have enough players available. It is assumed, however, that the London club’s game on December 28th could take place as planned.
Despite the sharp increase in the number of infections with more than 100,000 cases in Great Britain every day and numerous stars in quarantine, all Premier League clubs spoke out against moving the spectacle on Monday. Now there are at least two cancellations. Last weekend six out of ten games were canceled due to Covid-19 cases. The aggravated situation had not only raised concerns with Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp in view of the dense holiday program.
“Even in normal times I don’t think it’s right. In the current situation, insisting on playing games within two days feels wrong, “said Klopp and became even clearer:” Every team has had to do with Covid. We cannot put our hands in front of our eyes and pretend the situation is normal. It isn’t. She is extraordinary. And on that basis, I beg those in power to make a difference. Please do it for the benefit of the players. “
“This is a lottery”
“We test ourselves every day. And every day you may not even make it to the office. It’s a lottery, “said Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel. The corona virus paralyzed his storm with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner. The attacking duo could be available again on Sunday against Aston Villa. If the game plan holds, the duel between the “Blues” and the club of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has to serve almost as a top game in the absence of other constellations.
League leaders Manchester City welcomes Leicester. Southampton with coach Ralph Hasenhüttl takes on Westham away from home. Manchester United will not face Newcastle until Monday after a 16-day coronavirus break.
No new restrictions until December 27th
The problem with the Premier League is that given the tight schedule, they just don’t know where to move the games. “I don’t have a solution for the league either,” admitted Tuchel. Politics is not in the way of a full game plan with full stadiums for the time being. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in the middle of the week that the situation was still too unclear for new coronavirus restrictions. That means: nothing happens until December 27th. And on January 2nd, the game between Chelsea and Liverpool will be allowed to stand for the first time in 28 years.
But Boxing Day is just around the corner. In the Premier League – in which 16 percent of the professionals are unvaccinated – there have already been two rejections. It looks even darker in lower leagues. In the second-rate championship there have been three cancellations so far, in League One four, and in League Two there are already half of all games with six cancellations.
As in the League Cup, there are no restrictions for the stadiums during the week. If you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested, you can go in, there is no mask requirement on the pitch. The same applies to indoor events such as the Darts World Cup, which is currently underway, where people sway and sing close to each other in the Alexandra Palace in London every evening.
Tougher action in Scotland
Incidentally, where you can make your own laws, you don’t obey Prime Minister Johnson. Only 500 fans per game are allowed in Scotland. In addition, there will be a winter break in the north of Great Britain after the Boxing Day matchday. An option that will only be available in England in a few weeks. The ball will rest there from 23 January to 7 February around an international break.
