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The Premier League faces increasing calls to introduce new guidelines to prevent clubs from being forced to wait until it is too close to kick-off and being left in the dark before Covid-19-related postponements.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta became the latest manager to express mounting concerns following the cancellations of Everton v Manchester City and Tottenham v Fulham this week, both just hours before games began.
Everton and Spurs were angered by the decisions, made after their opponents made requests to the Premier League following increases in positive cases within their camps.
José Mourinho delivered a blow to the league, mocking its status as the best league in the world on social media, while Spurs were left in the dark until they finally discovered that their match was over less than four hours before kickoff from 6 pm
Arteta said: ‘Now we need another protocol, clear guidelines of what to do and what not to do and the schedule.
‘We can’t be waiting until the last two hours [to find out] whether we are playing a soccer game or not.
‘We should know a little before and at least have an open communication with the three parties, the two teams involved in the game and the Premier League and make a decision on what is right to do at that time but with a little time.
I don’t know the best way. I’m sure the doctors will find the best way. What’s important again is that we have open communication and if something is happening we need to know early so we can be prepared. ‘
League chiefs do not consider a strict and fast cut-off point to be a viable solution due to the different time required to gather all the evidence before the Premier League board can make a call in each case.
This can include waiting for test results, with no turnaround time for guaranteed ones.
More flexibility and a case-by-case trial are also required to fully assess the number of players left with affected clubs.
While the idea that a minimum of 14 players is required has been vaguely discussed, the warnings continue to allow clubs to still have grounds for a delay, for example if a particular area of their squad has been severely affected.
With twice-weekly testing scheduled to resume imminently, both City and Fulham have undergone additional rounds of testing this week in response to their respective outbreaks.
In addition to the return to previous testing levels as part of the Premier League’s wide-ranging protocols, Sportsmail understands that coronavirus officials have had a markedly increased presence on Premier League training grounds.
Sheffield United were another affected club when their midweek trip to Burnley was briefly in doubt.
Two players who reported symptoms received accelerated negative results at Manchester Airport, allowing the game to go ahead, but coach Chris Wilder has fresh fears before taking Crystal Palace alongside him on Saturday.
He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised by the testing round now that there will be more positive tests across the country in professional football and in the Premier League.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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