Reports have started to emerge suggesting that the Premier League could look to implement a two-week break in the immediate future.
The Telegraph are reporting that England’s top flight could be prepared to make the decision due to the number of coronavirus tests being returned positive.
In the latest round of testing, 18 tests were returned positive which is the highest figure to have been recorded in a single round of testing that had initially begun in August.
There have already been games to have been postponed because of outbreaks that have happened within squads in the Premier League.
Newcastle United’s match against Aston Villa at the beginning of December had been postponed, whilst Manchester City recently had their match with Everton postponed at the eleventh hour after they returned numerous positive tests for the viruses.
Sheffield United had experienced an outbreak, however their game against Burnley still went ahead – this game could have been postponed considering those that were tracking the live score would have been disappointed with what they witnessed; whilst Southampton’s match with West Ham United went ahead despite boss Ralph Hassenhuttl having had to self-isolate because of a family member in the household having tested positive.
Fulham manager Scott Parker and West Ham boss David Moyes have each missed games as well due to factors regarding the virus.
In a club statement before their match with Burnley, the Blades wrote: “Sheffield United can confirm the club recorded a number of positive coronavirus tests after the latest round of testing,” the club said in a statement.”Due to medical confidentiality, the club will not be revealing the names of those who have been affected.
“The individuals who have tested positive have now entered into a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and Government guidelines. Everyone at Sheffield United would like to extend our best wishes to our colleagues and wish them a speedy recovery.”
The Telegraph have claimed that the “top-flight chairmen have held informal talks” about the situation, with some seeing the possibility of a mid-season break being “inevitable” as the new variant of the virus continues to spread.
There are already a number of EFL games to have been called off for various reasons, and these postponements could play havoc with the FA Cup Third Round ties that are scheduled to take place on the first weekend of January.
Indeed, these are testing and trying times for everyone, so safety has to be paramount and a two-week break may just be the way to solve things currently.
