Chairmen discuss two week cooling off period

Premier League clubs are discussing a two-week “cooling-off” break in January over fears of outbreaks causing chaos with fixtures.

However, as reported here and nationally this morning, the arrival of the Oxford vaccine may lead to a different set of circumstances.

Top-flight chairmen have held informal talks after an outbreak in Manchester City’s squad, which caused their game against Everton to be called off on Monday night, was followed by several more clubs being affected on Tuesday.

Fulham’s staff and players returned a number of positive tests ahead of their meeting with Spurs on Wednesday night with that match potentially under threat if a postponement is requested owing to the squad being significantly depleted.

Sheffield United’s game against Burnley took place despite the club recording “numerous positives”, while Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl missed his side’s draw with West Ham after a member of his household tested positive and watched via a video link.

Sam Allardyce, the West Bromwich Albion manager, revealed his squad had also had a positive test.

West Ham have had at least four senior players test positive since the pandemic started in addition to the manager, other players have self-isolated and Chadwell Heath is currently in lockdown after an outbreak at the training ground which infected several Academy players.