Premier League insists 'no plans' to pause season despite rising COVID levels
By Ali Rampling
The Premier League has announced that they have 'no plans' to discuss pausing the season, despite two games being postponed in the space of three games because of COVID-19.
Manchester City's clash with Everton on Monday was cancelled four hours before kickoff on request from City following positive tests in the squad, while Tottenham versus Fulham was postponed three and a half hours before kickoff on Monday due to a number of positive tests in the Fulham squad.
✍️? "Whilst Everton will always have public safety uppermost, we will be requesting full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so the Club can be clear on why this decision was taken."
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 29, 2020
Prior to that, Newcastle against Aston Villa at the start of December had been the only game called off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, 18 positive coronavirus tests from players and staff were recorded in the Premier League - the highest so far this season - leading to calls for a two-week circuit break in an attempt to get the numbers back under control.
However, the Premier League are adamant that this will not be necessary.
"The Premier League has not discussed pausing the season and has no plans to do so," a statement read.
Sheffield United can confirm the club recorded a number of positive coronavirus tests after the latest round of testing.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 29, 2020
The individuals who have tested positive have now entered into a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and Government guidelines.
"The League continues to have confidence in its COVID-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled, and these protocols continue to have the full backing of Government. With the health of players and staff the priority, the League is also fully supportive of how clubs are implementing the protocols and rules."
The idea of a circuit break has divided opinion amongst Premier League managers, with Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stating that he could not 'see the benefit in having a break'.
However, newly appointed West Brom boss Sam Allardyce has come out in support of briefly pausing the season, adding that he was 'very concerned for myself and football in general'.