Show must go on, insist league chiefs
PREMIER League chiefs are determined not to stop the 2020/21 season – despite clubs discussing the possibility of a two-week break amid rises in coronavirus cases.
Newcastle United’s postponed clash with Aston Villa in November was the first top-flight fixture since the restart to be rescheduled following a Covid-19 outbreak at the Magpies’ Benton base.
The Premier League announced 18 positive tests in the week between Monday, December 21 and Sunday, December 27.
Several clubs have since discussed the possibility of a two-week temporary break but the Premier League remains focused on continuing amid the pandemic.
The Government is also said to have reassured the league that there are no plans to stop Premier League action or elite sport despite the rise in cases.
However, the rise in cases has seen Premier League chairmen informally discussing the prospect of a two-week break in January to combat further outbreaks.
Former Magpies manager Sam Allardyce called for a “circuit break” following West Brom’s 5-0 defeat to Leeds on Tuesday night.
He said: “Everyone’s safety is more important than anything else.
“When I listen to the news that the variant virus transmits quicker than the original virus we can only do the right thing, which is have a circuit break.
“I am 66 and the last thing I want to do is catch Covid.
“If a circuit breaker helps, let’s do it and then let the season run a little longer when we get through it.”