By Paul Jones
Swansea City are bracing themselves for the likely postponement of their match at QPR this weekend as rising rates of Covid-19 threaten to rip apart the festive fixture list.
The Swans are scheduled to visit in-form Rangers, currently fifth in the Championship, on Saturday as Russell Martin’s team bid to halt a run of three successive defeats.
But a Covid outbreak at the London club has already forced the scrapping of their game against Sheffield United – which was due to be played on Monday night – and now their home fixture against the Swans could go the same way.
QPR manager Mark Warburton has said it is “highly doubtful” that the game will go ahead due to the self-isolation period that players are required to serve.
COVID-19 Certification: EFL advises supporters to be prepared
Following the UK Government’s introduction of its Autumn/Winter Plan, the EFL is asking football supporters to Be Prepared before they travel to watch their teams in action#EFL https://t.co/lU7CKULJrw
— EFL (@EFL) December 10, 2021
“You’ve got players who are deeply frustrated and confused by the situation, but you’ve got to observe the government’s guidelines,” said Warburton.
“Just being honest with you, I’ve got 10 players isolating. From a manager’s perspective, Swansea looks highly doubtful because, to have so many now not returning until the week starting the 20th, they won’t return to training until the 21st, 22nd or 23rd of December.
“So in my mind, and I know people above my pay grade will make the decision, Bournemouth is the next game we’ve got to focus on.
“Football has its obligation to do what it can. Hopefully, we can lead from the front and set the right example. I’m convinced we’ve made the right decision.”
The Premier League has announced 42 new positive coronavirus cases among club players and staff, the highest weekly figure recorded since the release of testing results began in May last year.
❌ It’s matchday.
A reminder tonight’s trip to Sheffield United has been postponed ⚠️#QPR | #SHUQPR
— QPR FC (@QPR) December 13, 2021
A Covid-19 outbreak has led to Tottenham’s last two games being called off, while Manchester United’s scheduled trip to Brentford on Tuesday was postponed late on Monday night due to a number of positive tests in the United squad.
“The league can today confirm that between Monday, 6 December and Sunday, 12 December, 3,805 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, there were 42 new positive cases,” the Premier League said in a statement.
Twelve cases were reported last week, but several other clubs – including Norwich and Aston Villa – have since announced a number of positive tests as concerns heighten nationally amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
The Premier League wrote to all of its clubs last Thursday instructing them to reinstate Covid-19 emergency measures.
Top-flight clubs that had reached a vaccination rate of 85 per cent had been allowed to relax restrictions which were imposed in the summer, but those that had done so were told they must return to the stricter measures.
The league’s statement added: “The safety of everybody is a priority and the Premier League is taking all precautionary steps in light of the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.
“The league has reverted to its emergency measures and will increase the frequency of both lateral flow and PCR Covid-19 testing of players and staff.
“The Premier League’s Covid-19 emergency measures, which are applicable to all clubs, include protocols such as wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing and limiting treatment time. These are in addition to the more frequent testing.
“We will continue to work closely with the government, local authorities and supporter groups, while being responsive to any future changes to national or local guidance.”
This week’s significant spike eclipses the previous highest weekly figure of positive tests – 40 cases were recorded at the start of January following two rounds of testing.
Aston Villa also have had one positive Covid-19 case in their playing squad, leading to a recovery session at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground on Sunday being cancelled.
UEFA have released the following statement regarding our Europa Conference League fixture against Stade Rennais.
We shall continue to update supporters as matters progress.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 11, 2021
Further testing is to take place, while the club will also tighten their coronavirus protocols.
Villa face Norwich, managed by their former boss Dean Smith, at Carrow Road in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The government announced earlier this week fans will need to show proof of double vaccination or a negative test to attend sporting events with crowds of more than 10,000 people in England, following the rules already in place in Wales..
The rules are due to come into effect from December 15 as part of Covid ‘plan B’ measures to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
Brighton manager Graham Potter has revealed there are “three or four” positive tests among his playing squad, but their match with Wolves on Wednesday is not currently under threat.
“We’ve got a combination of injuries and a bit of Covid ourselves,” said Potter.
“We’ve got three or four, I would say, at the moment. And obviously, that’s something we have to deal with, like everybody else.
“Now we’re just checking and making sure it’s at that number.”
