‘No plans’ to postpone season despite outbreaks at clubs – EFL

THE EFL have said their are no plans to postpone the season despite coronavirus outbreaks at five clubs in League One this week.

Sunderland, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough, Portsmouth and Ipswich have all returned positive tests in the past seven days.

The Black Cats were forced to close the Academy of Light and postpone three of their festive fixtures after five people tested positive for coronavirus.

The Wearsiders will not return to training until December 27, just two days before they’re expected to play Accrington Stanley.

However, an EFL spokesperson said that the season was to carry on as normal under the Government guidelines.

Bristol Rovers players and staff were forced to self-isolate for ten days and their games against Oxford and Charlton were postponed after an outbreak at the club.

The postponement news came just hours before the Black Cats released information of their own outbreak ahead of a game against Wimbledon.

Promotion rivals Peterborough would soon follow suit – cancelling their games against Ipswich, Gillingham and Charlton.

Then on Saturday, Portsmouth confirmed that defender Jack

Whatmough had contracted the virus and had missed Pompey’s win over Hull.

Ipswich then confirmed that they were in talks with the EFL to postpone their next three games after six positive cases of Covid-19, including manager Paul Lambert.

The recent outbreak has caused widespread concern among fans however, there are no plans to postpone the season at the moment.