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Premier League

Covid-19 Outbreaks Continue to Disrupt English Football League Fixtures

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The English Football League has announced it will not implement mandatory Covid-19 testing for players despite the ongoing outbreak across multiple clubs. The decision was made after the EFL cited the low positivity rate from previous testing sessions, with over 99% of tests registering negative results. However, the outbreak continues to affect several clubs, including Millwall, Ipswich, and Portsmouth, who have canceled or postponed their upcoming matches. The Premier League has indicated it will continue to monitor the situation closely, but has no plans to suspend fixtures at this time, citing the need for strict adherence to Covid-secure guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The English Football League has dropped its biweekly testing requirement for players and staff, instead requiring testing only for those who develop symptoms or follow international breaks.
  • The EFL cited a 99% negative test rate from previous testing sessions as the reason for dropping the requirement.
  • Several clubs, including Millwall, Ipswich, and Portsmouth, have canceled or postponed their upcoming matches due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
  • The Premier League has indicated it will continue to monitor the situation closely, but has no plans to suspend fixtures at this time.
  • Testing costs between £100-£150 per test, with clubs facing a weekly bill of tens of thousands of pounds for regular testing.
  • Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin expressed concerns that the outbreak could spiral out of control, similar to other businesses and schools experiencing similar issues worldwide.
  • The Premier League intends to remind clubs of the strict protocols they must follow to continue playing matches, but there are no plans to suspend fixtures at this time.

Statistics:

  • 99% of EFL tests previously registered negative results.
  • 7 new positive Premier League cases from a round of 1,569 tests.
  • 1 Premier League match has been canceled due to a coronavirus outbreak (Newcastle United's fixture away to Aston Villa).
  • £100-£150 per test is the cost of Covid-19 testing for players and staff.
  • Tens of thousands of pounds is the weekly bill for clubs to test players and staff regularly.

Sources:

  • The Times (Jeremy Wilson and Jason Burt)
  • BBC Sport
  • Premier League statement

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