CITIZENS WAIT ON COVID CALL

Positive test puts start in doubt

The Ebac Northern League and Division Two club Durham City are awaiting to receive guidance from the Football Association after a Citizens player tested positive for Covid-19.

The unnamed player was displaying no symptoms of the virus ahead of his side’s pre-season fixture against North Riding Football League club Boro Rangers earlier this week.

However, the player received a positive test less than 48 hours after the fixture.

That prompted Rangers to ask their players to self-isolate and training sessions have been cancelled for a two-week period.

Postponed

Their opening league game of the season against Yarm and Eaglescliffe has also been postponed.

Durham are due to get their season underway with a visit to Sunderland RCA in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Tuesday night and that is quickly followed with their opening league game of the campaign against landlords Willington next Saturday.

It is unclear what the positive test means for both of those fixtures – but the Citizens have put a halt on training sessions and asked players to get tested for the virus.

A club spokesman told The NLP: “We can confirm that one of our players has tested positive for Covid-19.

“We are communicating with the Northern League, the NHS and the Football Association, along with other clubs that the player came into contact with.”

Emergency

The Ebac Northern League committee held an emergency online meeting after being informed of the positive test and stressed that they are awaiting more information from the FA before deciding what steps to take.

A spokesman for the Ebac Northern League said: “We are aware of the situation and are seeking guidance from the FA, given the club’s FA Cup fixture next week, before we make a decision on the league match.

“It reinforces the need for all players and clubs to strictly adhere to the government and FA’s Covid-19 guidelines.”