Possible Premier League fixture ‘circuit breaker’ as clubs consider ‘two week cooldown’ period and, but managers are divided

Sam Allardyce has strongly supported calls for a ‘circuit breaker’ in the Premier League to help control the growing cases of positive coronavirus cases in the top flight.

However, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he “does not see the benefit” of a lull in action due to the already accumulated match schedule.

Reports claim that Premier League clubs are now considering a two-week “cool down” period in January in response to the increased number of positive tests this week.

According to The Telegraph, informal talks have been held between some high-level presidents after a COVID-19 outbreak in the Manchester City team caused their game with Everton to be suspended on Monday night.

Other clubs have also been affected, as Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl missed Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with West Ham after a member of his family tested positive.

Fulham manager Scott Parker was forced to miss his team’s against the Saints last week after it tested positive, and it has yet to be confirmed whether the Cottagers’ London derby against Tottenham on Wednesday will take place. finished.

Proposals are believed to have been made to halt the season for fifteen days in an attempt to halt the increasing spread of the disease.

And West Brom’s newly appointed boss, Allardyce, has insisted it is ‘the right thing to do’ to tackle the outbreak.

Speaking after his team’s 5-0 loss to Leeds on Tuesday, Big Sam said: “When I hear the news the variant virus spreads faster than the original virus, we can only do the right thing, which is to have an outage. of the circuit.

“I am 66 years old and the last thing I want is to catch Covid. I am very worried about myself and about football in general. If that’s the thing to do, we have to do it. “

But Solskjaer worries what a circuit interruption would do to an already crowded schedule.

“It is not something that I have given much thought. I think our players have been very good at following the protocols and the rules, ”said Solskjaer.

“That is part of the job here, that we, as clubs, follow the given protocols. I don’t see the benefit of having a circuit break, whatever it’s called.

“Because when are we going to play the games? We all know that this year is very difficult, but I don’t think stopping the games is going to be a big change. “

The Premier League this week produced its highest number of positive tests this season. Between December 21 and 27, the League tested 1,479 players and club staff and 18 tested positive, dwarfing the previous highest number of cases: 16 in the week of November 9-15.

It is understood that the Premier League is not aware of any conversation about a hiatus. However, the pressure is likely to mount after both Sheffield United and Fulham were hit by further outbreaks of the virus.

The Blades said they received a “ series of positive tests for coronavirus, ” but their game at Burnley on Tuesday night went as planned.

Sheffield United has not disclosed whether the players or staff are affected.

They said in a statement: “Sheffield United can confirm that the club recorded a series of positive tests for coronavirus after the latest round of testing.

“Due to medical confidentiality, the club will not reveal the names of those affected.

“The people who tested positive have now entered a period of self-isolation according to the 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.”

It is also understood that Fulham has recorded a number of positive tests and Wednesday’s London derby at Tottenham is dependent on the results of the players and Craven Cottage staff who have yet to receive their results.

Coach Scott Parker just returned from self-isolation.