Premier League to continue with fixture list throughout festive period after Covid-19 postponements

ByEurosport

Updated 20/12/2021 at 20:15 GMT

Just four Premier League games were played at the weekend after several Covid-19 outbreaks at clubs, but the busy festive fixture list looks as though it is going to ahead unchanged following a meeting between executives on Monday. There are games on Boxing Day followed by two more rounds of fixtures on December 28, 29, 30 and January 1, 2 and 3.

The Premier League will continue as planned throughout the festive period following a meeting between executives from clubs on Monday.

Six out of 10 Premier League matches were postponed at the weekend because of Covid-19 outbreaks among numerous teams.

That led to speculation that at least one round of fixtures in the coming weeks could be called off to give players more recovery time as squads continue to be stretched.

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However, the Premier League confirmed in a statement on Monday evening that the games are set to go ahead as scheduled.

"It was confirmed at a Premier League club meeting today that while recognising a number of clubs are experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks and challenges, it is the league’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible.

"The health and wellbeing of all concerned remains our priority and the League will continue to monitor and reflect public health guidance, always proceeding with caution.

"A range of issues were discussed at this afternoon’s meeting, including the adaption of the Premier League Covid-19 postponement process in response to the impact of the Omicron variant. The league also confirmed to its clubs today that 92 per cent of players and club staff have received one, two or three Covid-19 vaccination doses, with 84 per cent of players on the vaccination journey.

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"Players who have had one or two doses are required to wait for the appropriate time period before receiving either their second or booster vaccinations.

"The league continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff, as well as promoting the Government’s public health vaccination messaging to clubs and the wider public.

"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the league, and player vaccination rates will now be publicly communicated at the end of each month, beginning in January."

Shortly after the meeting, the Premier League announced there had been a record 90 new positive cases from players and staff between December 13 and 19. The total is more than double the previous record of 42 set last week.

It was reported by The Athletic that some clubs supported one round of fixtures being moved while the idea of halting the season completely did not gain any traction.

Any postponement would come at an economic cost to the Premier League and there is also the complication of rescheduling the games.

The next round of games takes place on Boxing Day and December 27 followed by matches on December 28, 29 and 30 and January 1, 2 and 3.

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One of the four matches that did go ahead at the weekend was Chelsea’s goalless draw with Wolves. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel felt the game going ahead put further players’ and staff safety at risk.

He said on Sunday: “We have several days of positive testing for players and staff, so what is the chance that it stops if we keep driving around in a bus, doing meetings and having dinners and lunches together?

“I don’t think there is a high possibility that it stops. But let’s see. Hopefully it stops.”

Jurgen Klopp, who witnessed his Liverpool side draw 2-2 with Tottenham on Sunday, supported a break but is wary about when fixtures will be rescheduled.

"If we don’t play any more and have a break I am fine,” he said. “But I know the problem. When do you want to play the games. It is not that easy to fit them in.

“We said before coronavirus that it was a bit busy and now it gives us a proper punch."

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