City positive cases cause late postponement

ENGLISH football has been left reeling by three further coronavirus outbreaks, including one at Manchester City which forced their Premier League game at Everton to be postponed just four hours before kick-off.

Three days after Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were among four individuals to return positive tests, the club announced yesterday that another round of testing had

“returned a number of positive cases”.

The bleak news came as Rochdale and Morecambe announced that their next two games were postponed due to Covid-19.

“With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond,” a Manchester City statement read.

“Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, has decided to postpone the fixture.”

The Premier League, in agreeing to the postponement, insisted the health of players and staff was paramount.

“The board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place (on Tuesday),” said a statement.

“The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority.”

The fixture is the second Premier League game to be called off this season due to positive tests for coronavirus.

The match between Aston Villa and Newcastle, due on December 4, was postponed.

City’s training ground has been closed for the foreseeable future.