ORIENT CORONA CHAOS
LEYTON Orient have shut their stadium and training ground after a coronavirus outbreak – throwing tonight’s Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham into doubt.
The third- round clash with Jose Mourinho’s men could be forfeited and awarded to the Premier League side after “a number” of Orient players tested positive.
Public Health England were last night in talks with Orient and the EFL. The League Two outfit could even be shut down as a club for an extended period of f time while the stadium and training ground undergo a deep clean.
Tottenham and Orient players both expect the tie t to be
called off but the decision will rest with PHE after talks with the O’s, who forfeit the game if they cannot field 14 players, including three substitutes.
Orient have also had to contact their recent opponents Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic, to warn them amid fears of a serious breakout.
It would be a massive blow to Orient for what would have been a dream tie with Tottenham and a chance to raise funds and publicity for their former manager Justin Edinburgh’s Foundation after the ex- Spurs defender died of a cardiac arrest last year.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane had also sponsored Orient’s shirts in the summer to ease their financial crisis and would have been a welcome sight.
The England captain started his career at Brisbane ne Road back in 2011.
Orient nt issued a statement ent last night which said: aid:
“Leyton n Orient’s s priority y is the health and wellbeing of its players and staff. Those hose who have ve tested positive will now strictly follow government selfisolation guidelines,” the O’s said.
“The Breyer Group Stadium and training ground facilities will be closed until fu further notice.”
The decision decisi to award the ti tie would be in line w with UEFA guid guidelines and Tot Tottenham alre already ha have a very crowded fi fixture li list. They a are due to fly to Macedo Macedonia tomorr tomorrow for thei their Europa League tie the next night.