Premier League considering Covid postponement rule changes from next week

PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have asked the 209 clubs if THEY want to change Covid postponement rules.

Pressure has been mounting on League bosses to intervene after the latest spate of games off, including the North London derby when Arsenal had just one Covid case.

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Now the Prem wants the 20 club chiefs to discuss the issue at their “shareholder” meeting next month.

League regulations mean any change has to be agreed by 14 of the 20 clubs and there would need to be a consensus among two-thirds of clubs to alter the rules mid-season.

That appears unlikely at this stage with a number of club managers making it clear they want to retain the option of applying for postponements under the current rules, rather than placing themselves at a competitive disadvantage to rivals who have already used the existing provisions.

A statement from the league on Wednesday said: “The Premier League is consulting with our clubs regarding COVID-19 postponement rules and guidance in light of the changing national picture and the falling number of cases within our squads.

“The league’s current guidance was amended in December following the emergence of the new Omicron variant and we continue to monitor the ongoing effects of the virus and will update our guidance accordingly.”

The Premier League will have more than two weeks to discuss possible changes to postponement rules.

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That’s because the Premier League’s winter break comes into effect on January 24 and lasts until February 8 – the FA Cup fourth round takes place on the first weekend in February.

Current rules stipulate that teams must fulfil fixtures if they have 13 outfield players available and one goalkeeper.

But that has resulted in 21 postponements so far with injuries as much to blame for games being called off as Covid is in some cases.

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