TOON IN SHUT DOWN
Friday’s game is off as virus rocks Geordies
STEVE BRUCE gave his first admission that a coronavirus crisis was stirring at Newcastle six days ago.
Despite missing three players who tested positive last week, Newcastle stole a late win at Crystal Palace on Friday night.
But by Sunday their training centre was closed, players including midfielder Isaac Hayden (right) were sent home after another round of testing showed up more positives and no prospect of training ahead of the trip to Aston Villa.
Last night the Premier League realised it had reached breaking point and, with Villa’s backing and sympathy, this Friday’s game was called off.
As well as the Geordies being down on playing numbers, it would not be a good look during a pandemic to have a worried squad travelling together, staying in a hotel and playing a game, while the rest of the country face a strict new tier system of restrictions.
Newcastle’s outbreak became “more severe” in the past 48 hours and Bruce was determined to protect the health of his staff, as well as players and their families.
The Toon boss has admitted to being “anxious” about the disease and conceded it was a “difficult time at the moment”.
Players who have tested positive have been isolating at home, together with their close contacts.
Premier League protocols state that if a team has fewer than 15 players available because of Covid a game can be cancelled. However decisions are made on a case-tocase basis. Forcing a club to play, while trying to contain an outbreak, was never an option.
Club doctor Paul Catterson was the first to ban handshaking last March as the virus emerged before lockdown. In a statement the club said: “Despite previously
ALL QUIET The Newcastle training ground has seen no action as Covid struck the squad experiencing only a very small number of isolated Covid-19 cases, positive test results have risen sharply in recent days.
“The club is now is working with Public Health England North East (PHE), local health authorities and the Premier League to identify the source of the outbreak and to ensure the risk of further transmission continues to be minimised.
“All players and training ground staff will be retested this week and a meeting between the club, Premier League and PHE will take place.”
Bruce said: “We have to manage the situation. The ones who have been on international duty have been away and come back. But you can be a noninternational as well and get it.
“I have heard of Premier League teams who have had 12 positives last week in the group, so we have to manage the group.”
“The protocols from the last eight months have been terrific.
“Whether it is coincidental with internationals being away or just the virus peak... I feel like a scientist at the minute. My job is also to make sure the staff stay safe too.”