EVERTON have requested ‘full disclosure’ of the information Manchester City provided to the Premier League after their match was postponed due to Covid-19 cases.
The two sides were due to meet at Goodison Park on Monday night but a late postponement just four hours before the 8pm kick-off left the 2,000 fans scheduled to attend gutted.
Everton’s game against Manchester City at Goodison Park was postponedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Sun exclusively revealed that half of Pep Guardiola’s side are feared to have caught the virus with club officials concerned it may have ripped through the team at the London hotel where they stayed for the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Arsenal last week.
In a statement, Everton said: “Everton Football Club regret the postponement of tonight’s match against Manchester City – not only for the 2,000 fans who would have been attending, but for supporters on Merseyside and across the world.
“Our players were prepared for the game, as were both the team staff and everyone at Goodison. Matchday is the most important date in our calendar. And this was a big one.
“Whilst Everton will always have public safety uppermost, we will be requesting full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so the Club can be clear on why this decision was taken.”
At least three more City stars have contracted the virus days after Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were told they had tested positive on Christmas Eve, along with two backroom staff.
A source said: “Players spend an awful lot of time together. The club is stringent with following protocols, but it shows how easily it spreads. Now the concern is even more players will test positive.”
City requested the postponement – which could now cause fixture chaos with Sunday’s game against Chelsea now at risk.
Guardiola’s men are then due to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals three days later and the club’s training ground has been shut for an ‘indeterminable period’.
A City statement read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that this evening’s Premier League fixture at Everton has been postponed.
“After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day.
“With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.
“Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture.
With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.”
Manchester City
“All positive cases involving players and staff will observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine.
“The first team training ground at City Football Academy will close for an indeterminate period, with the squad and associated bubble undergoing testing before any decision is made for training to resume.
“Everyone at the Club wishes all of our colleagues a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, training and competition.”
The Premier League said: “The Board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution.”
Solskjaer reacts after beating Everton to reach a Carabao Cup semi-final vs Man City
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
