Bees call for Covid call-offs consistency

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has called for consistent Covid-19 guidelines across the Premier League and Football League.

The Championship side face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semifinal on tonight, with both them and Spurs having had matches called off in recent days due to coronavirus.

Brentford’s game with Bristol

City on Saturday was postponed due to some members of the City squad showing symptoms, although the bank holiday meant their players could not actually be tested.

Frank fears the raft of postponements will lead to the season having to be extended and said: ‘It’s very important that the EFL, the Premier League and the FA find some kind of guidelines across the four leagues and the cup tournaments.

‘We all know we are living in a global pandemic and it’s safety first for everyone involved in the game but also society. I know it’s very difficult for the organisations to get it right.

‘But I’m talking about our game against Bristol was postponed, but Wimbledon in League One were not allowed to get their game postponed even though they maybe had more cases.

‘Then we know Premier League games have been postponed. I don’t know how many players need to have tested positive or have symptoms or whatever.

It’s very important that we have guidelines the same across all the games.’

The National League have been adopting different rules (see main story on this page) but could be about to fall in line with the EFL.

‘We are going to play so many games already, when will they find the time for the remaining games?’ asked Frank.

‘If you don’t have consistency it will add up either extending the season again, then we are into the Euros. A strict guideline would really be helpful.’

Tottenham’s match with Fulham last week was called off due to an outbreak in the Cottagers’ camp, before Spurs players Erik Lamela, Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso hit the headlines with a breach of coronavirus rules by attending a party over Christmas.