PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will reportedly be forced to play matches even if teams are struck by a coronavirus outbreak in their squads.
Top-flight chiefs are desperate for the 2020-21 campaign to not overrun beyond May 23 as they look to avoid clashes with the European Championship.
Liverpool go into the 2020-21 Premier League season as defending championsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
According to the Daily Mail, Premier League clubs have been told that requests for postponements due to Covid-19 will be rejected.
The only way that games will be rescheduled is if teams are unable to name less than 14 players in their matchday squad.
It has been stated that the Premier League have advised clubs to promote any Under-21 players to the senior squad if they have played at least a minute of first-team football.
And the Premier League will also refuse any proposals to postpone fixtures if players have breached coronavirus protocols.
They will also reject postponements if players are self-isolating following an overseas trip.
Should any team refuse to play a game, then an independent disciplinary panel will hear the case.
This would result in either warnings or fines, and in cases for repeat offenders, points will be taken off.
The Premier League rules are more lenient than Uefa, who insisted Champions League and Europa League games would go on over the summer even if clubs could only field 13 players.
And if they could not fill a 13-man squad, then clubs would automatically forfeit the match.
Manchester City have been rocked by the news that Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have both tested positive for Covid-19.
They are the latest Premier League stars to contract the deadly virus after Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
Man City confirm Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte test positive for coronavirus and been forced to self-isolate
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
