Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FURY AS VILLA CALL OFF GAME AT LAST MINUTE
ASTON Villa and Burnley fans were united in outrage last night after the farcical postponement of their Premier League clash just 135 minutes before kick-off.
Their fury was echoed by broadcasters, who were also given no early indication the Villa Park clash was about to be scratched due to a Covid outbreak in the home squad.
There were chaotic scenes outside the ground, with some fans walking away as others were still streaming in – unaware the game was off.
Villa informed the league of a number of positive test results at 10.30am with a request for a postponement.
Premier League officials told Burnley they were calling it off at 12.15pm, but it was not until 12.45pm that fans were informed though an official statement.
By that stage more than 2,000 travelling fans were stepping off their buses at Villa Park to be given the bad news about their wasted 240-mile round trip down the M6.
Sky Sports, the BBC and other broadcasters got no warning about the threat.
Angry fans branded the late call “a joke” and they were joined by BBC Five Live pundit Neil Lennon who blasted: “I just don’t get it. Normally you do your PCR tests the day before and have them back a few hours later.
“So, I don’t know how that eventuality has come about. You do two or three Covid tests a week and have the results back within three or four hours.
“Why this happened, I don’t understand.”
Lennon, who managed Celtic through the pandemic until he left in February, added: “This should have been dealt with yesterday to give the Burnley fans the opportunity not to travel, and for clarity around the fixture list.”
One Clarets fan spoke for many when he tweeted: “The Premier League’s lack of respect for people on the terraces who invest so much time and money in this increasingly dirty business is endless.”
Another wrote: “Burnley is hardly just up the road from Villa. Why weren’t we told earlier? Total waste of time and money. What a s***show for fans.”
At least Burnley players had previous experience to fall back on. Sean Dyche’s squad – who were tucking into their pre-match meal at their hotel when they were told their work was over – have now had three of their last six matches postponed.
In a statement, Villa said:
“The results of
PCR tests, which were taken yesterday prior to training, as well as lateral flow tests, were received this morning and confirmed further depletion of our playing squad which was already impacted upon for our trip to Norwich in midweek.
“The club is extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to Burnley Football Club, and to our own supporters and the Burnley fans due to attend the fixture, but have acted as swiftly as possible this morning to minimise disruption.”
The Premier League said: “This decision was based on the number of Covid-19 cases, injuries and illness.
“The league understands the decision to postpone the match at such short notice will frustrate and disappoint supporters, and apologises for the inconvenience and disruption caused.”