Cowley surprised by league’s decision to end Covid testing for players on matchdays
DANNY COWLEY has revealed his surprise at the latest EFL statement regarding Covid-19 protocols.
It comes after the league’s organisational body announced they would no longer test players on matchdays, in an attempt to avoid last-minute postponements.
But Pompey’s head coach believes a different approach would have achieved the same outcome.
A whole host of matches were called off just hours before the scheduled kickoff across the festive period – resulting in travelling fans and clubs making wasted trips.
Eight fixtures across the EFL’s three divisions were cancelled on New Year’s Day – including those involving Pompey’s rivals Ipswich, Plymouth and Wigan.
And high-flying Sunderland’s scheduled visit from Fleetwood in League One yesterday was also off.
Former Lincoln boss Cowley explained how the welfare of all attending matches should be the priority.
He told The News: ‘It (The EFL statement) did surprise me.
‘We’ll follow the guidelines that we’re given – and we believe the guidelines are there to protect the people.
‘Whether that be our players, the staff, our supporters, that’s what they should be there for.
‘I’m all for the supporters, but personally I think we should still test yet the game cannot be called off after a certain time.
‘If, for example, on the day of the game, four players are to have tested positive then those four can’t play.
‘Every club has players they can use, whether they’re under-23s or under18s players.
‘I would still test on the day, for players, staff and supporter welfare, but I would have a cut-off time of when the game cannot be called off.’
The Blues haven’t played in the league since their 2-0 victory over Morecambe way back on December 11.
Since then, matches against AFC Wimbledon, Exeter (in the Papa John’s Trophy), Oxford United and Plymouth have all fallen foul of Covid cases.
Cowley continued: ‘I respect it’s not easy for the EFL when they have to make decisions.
‘We live in a world where we’re all quick to criticise, and we sometimes have to respect that these are not easy decisions being made by the key stakeholders.’