Newcastle United’s trip to Aston Villa on Friday has become the Premier League’s first Covid-19 casualty after the game was postponed.
The north east club were forced to request the postponement after an outbreak of the coronavirus at the club.
Several players and staff tested positive for the virus, although the exact number has not been disclosed due to confidentiality reasons. Their Darsley Park training ground had to be closed on Monday and, under guidance from Public Health England (PHE), remained shut on Tuesday, leaving manager Steve Bruce missing a number of players and unable to properly prepare those who were not self-isolating for the game.
PHE told Newcastle executives on Tuesday that they would not be able to restart group training sessions until Friday at the earliest, rendering the Villa game virtually impossible, or placing the Newcastle players at risk of injury.
Newcastle officials were also concerned that travelling to and from Birmingham for the game and staying overnight would put the club at further risk of spreading the virus throughout the playing squad, coaches and staff, and possibly passing it on to their families.
Aston Villa, for their part, were understanding of Newcastle’s situation and, despite already having a game in hand, against Manchester City, over most other clubs, were happy to allow the match to be rescheduled.
Newcastle coaches were worried that players who tested negative for the virus on Sunday could since have been infected. The Premier League are currently running testing at all 20 clubs once per week, down from the twice-weekly testing program they used during Project Restart to conclude last season during the UK’s first lockdown.
Players and staff at Newcastle will be re-tested this week and further meetings will take place to ensure they have stopped the spread of the virus before they are able to reconvene training.
A Premier League spokesman said: “Following a Premier League Board meeting today, Newcastle United’s fixture at Aston Villa, due to be played at 8pm Friday 4 December, has been postponed.
“Newcastle lodged a request with the Premier League to rearrange the game following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at the club which resulted in Public Health England North East (PHE) advising that their training facilities remain closed. The Premier League Board agreed, as a consequence, that the club are unable to train and adequately and safely prepare for their match on Friday.
“The decision has been taken in consultation with Newcastle United and Aston Villa, and following extensive consultation with PHE and Premier League medical advisors, with the health of players and staff the priority.
“Newcastle correctly notified PHE regarding a number of positive COVID-19 test results, which is standard practice under Government and Premier League guidelines.
“PHE convened a meeting with Newcastle and the Premier League yesterday to assess the situation and advised the club’s training ground should remain closed and no group training would be permitted between players until Friday at the earliest.
“All players and training ground staff will be re-tested this week and another meeting between the club, PHE and the Premier League will take place to assess the test results.”
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