December 16, (THEWILL) – Burnley’s Premier League match against Watford has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the visiting team’s squad.
The match was called off just over two hours before kick-off because Watford lacked the required first-team footballers to field for the game.
This week, the Premier League declared a return to “emergency measures” including more frequent testing and stricter distance rules.
Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur, who were unable to play their match against Brighton on Sunday, have stated that their respective requests to postpone their meeting have been denied by the league, as THEWILL reported.
The Premier League issued a statement on the Burnley-Watford fixture that read: “It is with regret the Premier League Board has postponed Burnley FC’s home fixture against Watford FC, due to be played this evening (Wednesday 15 December) at 7.30pm.
“The decision was taken following guidance from medical advisers due to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak within Watford’s squad. As a result, the club has an insufficient number of first team players available to fulfil the match.
“The Premier League understands this decision will disappoint and frustrate fans who were due to attend this evening’s game and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused at such short notice.
“In light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Premier League has reintroduced emergency measures. These include protocols such as more frequent testing, wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing and limiting treatment time.”
The game was postponed on the same day that the UK reached its highest ever single-day total of positive cases. On Wednesday, 78,610 people tested positive, as the government attempts to contain the spread of the Omicron variant, which is now thought to be dominant in parts of the UK, including London.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
