LINCOLN GAMES ARE CALLED OFF AS CORONAVIRUS SWEEPS CAMP
LINCOLN City have had a second League One fixture called off due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
The Imps’ game with MK Dons on Good Friday had already been postponed after the latest round of testing found three positive test results and with the club having to shut its training centre for 10 days, Tuesday’s match with Charlton Athletic is also now off.
The club said in a statement: “Following yesterday’s announcement, we are able to confirm that the Soper of Lincoln Elite Performance Centre will be closed for 10 days.
“This closure has now resulted in the postponement of the club’s upcoming fixtures versus MK Dons and Charlton Athletic. “Whilst the club is naturally disappointed in its inability to fulfil the fixtures, the primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of its staff, players and opponents.
“News on the rearranged dates for the postponed fixtures will be communicated in due course and until that point, in the interest of medical privacy, the club will be making no further comment.”
The EFL, who confirmed on Tuesday that 71 of the 72 clubs had returned no positive tests for coronavirus, are investigating the circumstances of the outbreak.
The governing body said in a statement: “Following the suspension of Lincoln City’s Sky Bet League One fixture against MK Dons the club’s subsequent fixture against Charlton Athletic, due to take place on Tuesday 6 April, has also been suspended. “The club informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil the fixture following a number of recent positive Covid-19 tests and the requirement for players and staff to self-isolate as per EFL and Government guidance in order to mitigate against the spread of further infection. “The circumstances surrounding the postponement will now be subject of an EFL investigation in accordance with EFL regulations. “A revised date for the fixture will be confirmed in due course.”
Lincoln have enjoyed a fine season under manager Michael Appleton and currently sit in fourth place in the League One table, despite a recent dip in form which has seen them fall behind in the race for automatic promotion.