Parker slams ‘scandalous’ rescheduling of game

SCOTT Parker has branded the Premier League’s decision to announce on Monday morning that Fulham’s game against Tottenham would be rearranged for tonight as “scandalous”.

The Fulham boss said the possibility of playing Spurs, after their original opponents Aston Villa had a coronavirus outbreak, was raised at the weekend but that the final decision was not relayed to the west London club until Monday morning.

“I’m normally always the last one to moan or whine about anything because I realise it’s tough out there and this is the way it is, but what’s happened to us (is unfair),” Parker said.

“To confirm a Premier League game as well – this is the Premier League, one of the best leagues in the world – to confirm that at 9.30 on Monday morning is scandalous really, to be honest with you.

“It’s not about the fixture. The fixture is fine. I accept that we have to play. But it’s the notice.”

Fulham were due to play Spurs on December 30, but the Cottagers’ squad had returned a number of positive Covid-19 tests and the game was called off less than three hours before kick-off.

“By the way, we’ve had it tough in terms of Covid,” Parker said. “We’ve not been out there (announcing) our numbers publicly but we’ve had it very tough.

“And working our players over the weekend, thinking that you’ve got six or seven days until your next fixture for them to get up to speed or to work on (things), that’s quickly changed (on) Monday morning and, for me, it’s madness really.”