LEEDS UNITED’S Premier League clash with Southampton could be postponed in order to prevent Shrewsbury Town being thrown out of the FA Cup.
According to The Telegraph, talks have begun over the potential rescheduling of the fixture, which is currently due to take place next Wednesday.
Leeds United’s Premier League clash with Southampton could be postponedCredit: AFP
Southampton are scheduled to play Leeds United and Shrewsbury Town next WednesdayCredit: PA:Press Association
Southampton’s FA Cup third-round tie with Shrewsbury, which was postponed due to a major coronavirus outbreak at the League One club, is also due to take place on the same day.
The Shrews are still waiting to learn the fate of their cup run, which is at risk of coming to a premature end via forfeit.
The FA recently warned clubs they will be kicked out if they’re unable to provide 14 fit players to fulfil fixtures.
But Shrews chairman Brian Caldwell believes it would be ‘unfair’ for them to be booted out of the cup due to a situation ‘completely outside’ of their control.
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He told The Telegraph: “If there is a way round it, we should be looking for the way round it, not just taking the easy option and expelling clubs from the competition through no fault of their own.”
Shrewsbury reportedly had a whopping 20 players test positive for Covid-19.
Caldwell added: “We’ve got a few that are struck down pretty badly.”
Shrewsbury’s hopes of playing their cup tie will be boosted by the fact neither Leeds nor Southampton are playing European football this season.
That means there’s still space in the fixture list for them to play their Premier League match next month instead.
The recent surge of Covid-19 cases has wreaked havoc with football fixtures up and down the country.
Late last month, Fulham’s trip to Tottenham was postponed just a matter of hours before kick-off due to a slew of positive tests at the west London club.
Spurs’ clash with Aston Villa was also rescheduled due to an outbreak of Covid in Dean Smith’s side.
Jose Mourinho’s troops will now face Fulham on Wednesday night after a hasty schedule change, provided there are no further outbreaks at either club.
Despondent Marcelo Bielsa full of sadness and disappointment after Leeds were dumped out of FA Cup by League Two Crawley
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
