Premier League: Games to go ahead ‘if a club can field 14 players for a match’ – Premier League clubs are told that games should be played if they have 14 fit players including U-21’s amid a significant rise in Covid cases in the league as well as in the United Kingdom (UK). If the club is unable to field the minimum requirement of players due to injuries then the medical team will themselves check up on the players to see if the injury is genuine or just a reason to postpone the match. Follow InsideSport.IN for the latest Football news and updates.
The clubs and the shareholders had a meeting yesterday if they wanted to continue playing during the busy festive week or choose to halt the Premier League for some time until teams have recovered from their outbreaks. But everybody concluded that the show must go on and therefore the Premier League stated that a minimum of 13 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper should be fit to play to take the game ahead.
It was confirmed at a #PL club meeting today that while recognising a number of clubs are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks & challenges, it is the League’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible
Full statement: https://t.co/SWPMbR7cvW pic.twitter.com/odlZWYUN5y
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 20, 2021
Sky Sports said that “After a Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Monday, the league has decided to continue the schedule as planned where possible; six of the 10 Premier League games were postponed at the weekend, with outbreaks impacting several clubs and the postponement of a round of games over Christmas was a possibility.”
Since the majority of the clubs decided to continue the schedule as planned, Premier League outlined the rules so that teams deliberately do not postpone the fixture.
PREMIER LEAGUE: Fielding U21s, Checks on Player injuries, 13+1 minimum players, FA Cup replays scrapped
The Premier League’s position was clear as clubs were told no postponements would be permitted where 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper from the squad list were available.
If fewer than the outlined number is unavailable, then the team must use appropriately experienced Under 21s’ to fulfill the squad number. Any Under 21 player who has started a first-team match in the current or preceding season will be eligible.
Clubs were also advised that the Premier League board would not consider subjective factors such as the quality or experience of the available players versus unavailable players and if a team is lacking in a particular outfield position.
In case a side should deem a player unavailable due to injury, the league’s chief medical officer may inquire to confirm the status of the injury to be sure of the injury and for how long the player could be out depending on the injury suffered.
As well as the postponement rules, the clubs were told the FA had agreed to scrap replays for FA Cup third and fourth rounds and informed of the financial ramifications a stoppage would trigger. An update on the Government’s position was also given, with those on the call told it was understood that no lockdown was imminent.
Liverpool was among few of the clubs who were seeking some kind of easing. The Reds have four matches in 12 days and their squad has already been hit by infections. Others, such as Manchester United, feel they are the worst of the lot who have been affected by their outbreak and should be in a better position to fulfill fixtures.
The Premier League has decided against postponing a full round of fixtures amid Covid-19 outbreaks at several clubs.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 20, 2021
Premier League: Games to go ahead ‘if a club can field 14 players for a match’ amid a high rise in Covid cases; Check more details
A new requirement for clubs to do all they can to reduce Covid’s impact on numbers was also announced. They must ensure the availability of squad list players and appropriately experienced Under 21s for each match. Away teams must bring as many available players as possible, with Premier League games taking priority over all else. If eligible Under 21s has played in a non-first team game a short time before the Premier League match, they will still be deemed available.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE PREMIER LEAGUE:
The League also confirmed to its clubs today that 92 percent of players and club staff have received one, two, or three COVID-19 vaccination doses, with 84 percent of players on the vaccination journey.
Players who have had one or two doses are required to wait for the appropriate period before receiving either their second or booster vaccinations. The League continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff, as well as promoting the Government’s public-health vaccination messaging to clubs and the wider public.
No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League, and player vaccination rates will now be publicly communicated at the end of each month, beginning in January.
Manchester United is expected to resume training at Carrington tomorrow. [@ChrisWheelerDM]
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) December 20, 2021
Meanwhile, a record 12,345 Covid-19 tests were administered on Premier League players and staff between December 13 and 19, with 90 testing positive.
Much like the first Premier League shut-down in 2020, any decision to call a temporary hiatus to the calendar would result in significant off-the-field ramifications for clubs, particularly financial and also with the World Cup 2022 in mind, officials have agreed to continue playing despite the current spate of positive cases throughout the league.
Premier League teams who were hit by the Covid outbreak:
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Brentford
- Leicester
- Manchester United
- Brighton
- Norwich
- Watford
- Tottenham
- Chelsea
- Liverpool
Premier League: Games to go ahead ‘if a club can field 14 players for a match’ amid a high rise in Covid cases; Check more details
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