League under scrutiny after Orient chaos

EFL chiefs are reviewing their policy of not ordering clubs to do mandatory coronavirus tests.

It comes after the outbreak at League Two side Leyton Orient caused their Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham to be called off.

Spurs paid for Orient to have 25 players tested, about “75 per cent” were positive and that has caused a major alarm and fears of outbreaks in the EFL.

The EFL stopped weekly testing at the end of last season but are now facing pressure to reinstate it for the Championship, League One and Two even though each test costs up to £ 150. That would leave every club facing a bill in excess of £ 150,000 for the season if they tested 25 players a week, and yet the EFL insist they have been led by medical advice rather than it being solely a financial decision.

They have upheld strict protocols and safety advice for stadiums and training grounds.

Last season’s test rates show it is still a very low risk and any player who has symptoms or has come into close contact has to undergo a test.

The EFL did insist on all clubs testing players on their return to pre- season, halfway through pre- season, before their first game and also for any players returning from international duty.

Several Championship clubs are carrying out their own testing, and others – including Luton – are buying their own equipment, while the EFL did not insist that clubs playing in the Carabao Cup had to take advantage of Premier League opponents offering to pay.

A decision on whether Orient’s game will be forfeited or rescheduled is likely to be made today.