The Premier League is unlikely to change Covid postponement rules despite outrage over the decision to allow Arsenal to move the north London derby with minimal positive cases.
Opponents Tottenham Hotspur reacted furiously to the decision made by the Premier League board on Saturday afternoon, expressing their “surprise” that the application, made on Friday, was approved.
Spurs intimated that their rivals were abusing the rules to avoid playing the fixture with a weakened team and demanded “clarity and consistency on the application of the rule”.
The club were joined by prominent football figures in denouncing the decision. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville said: “What started out as postponements due to a pandemic has now become about clubs not having their best team. The Premier League must stop this now, draw a line in the sand and say all games go ahead unless you have an exceptional amount of coronavirus cases. It’s wrong.”
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i has learned, however, that Arsenal would have been unable to fulfil the minimum requirements for a club to play a fixture — 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper — even if those three players had been included in their squad.
It was also argued that Arsenal were essentially gaming the system by attempting to have the game moved despite only one player testing positive for Covid-19 when they made the application.
However, the Covid postponement rules, agreed by all of the clubs, make clear that decisions to move matches take in the wider context and include the impact earlier Covid cases have had on squads. Arsenal, for example, have had 11 positive cases since the beginning of December and losing players to quarantine has prevented squad rotation.
Premier League medics demand proof
Furthermore, Arsenal played at least four players against Liverpool in their rearranged Carabao Cup semi-final who were carrying minor injuries that were aggravated during the draw.
Premier League medics rigorously scrutinise each request made by clubs to postpone fixtures, liaising with doctors at the affected club and requiring medical documents as proof before reporting back to the Premier League board who make the final call. At least six requests have been denied.
The Premier League has discussed the postponement rules with clubs several times over the past month and has sought opinion on their efficacy. Clubs are also aware that players unavailable due to Covid-19 will be factored in with players lost to other injuries and the African Cup of Nations.
And despite Tottenham’s complaints there is not expected to be a rule change midway through the season. The north London derby was the 21st postponed league fixture and to alter the rules now would throw the integrity of the competition into disarray.
If Spurs were to propose a rule change it would need to be presented during a Premier League shareholders’ meeting and require the support from at least 13 other clubs to be voted through.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3qujWyt
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