City face tough 13 days
Leyton Orient’s Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham is in doubt after a number of players at the Sky Bet League Two club tested positive for coronavirus. Orient were set to host the Premier League side in the third round tonight, but have closed their Breyer Group Stadium and training ground until further notice.
“Following our game on Saturday 19 September, COVID-19 testing was conducted on all of our first-team playing squad,” a club statement from Leyton Orient read.
“On Monday 21 September we received formal confirmation which shows that a number of our first-team squad have tested positive for COVID-19. We have informed the EFL and Tottenham Hotspur and will make a further announcement regarding Tuesday’s match shortly.”
EFL clubs no longer have to conduct mandatory tests on their players and staff for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, as is still the case in the Premier League.
But, ahead of the midweek tie with Spurs, Orient tested their squad and staff.
The club statement continued: “We have also informed Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic, our three most recent opponents, prior to the public release of this information.
“Leyton Orient’s priority is the health and well-being of its players and staff. Those who have tested positive will now strictly follow government selfisolation guidelines.
“The Breyer Group Stadium and training ground facilities will be closed until further notice.”
It is understood there is no protocol in the EFL competition regulations for this eventuality, in terms of whether the match should be forfeited or rescheduled. - PA News Agency.