EMMA MITCHELL has made a sly dig at the FA’s ‘different rules for different teams’ after Manchester City’s game with West Ham was postponed.
City requested that the match was called off after four aces tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to Dubai, according to reports.
Reading star Emma Mitchell has hit out at the FA’s ‘different rules for different teams’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Reading ace Mitchell wrote on Twitter: “Queue the Arsenal game getting postponed..
“We see you @BarclaysFAWSL @FA different rules for different teams.”
It is understood that the Gunners have also requested a postponement of their away trip to Aston Villa after a positive coronavirus test in camp.
The positive result followed three of Arsenal’s senior international players reportedly travelling to Dubai over the festive period, after London moved into Tier 4 restrictions.
Gunners icon Ian Wright slammed the move by his former club.
He wrote on Twitter: “So we asking for a postponement because we broke the rules??!!
“Players have every right to be upset but why should Villa be punished? Play the game.”
Bristol City were forced to field a team of academy kids against City in November after five of their players were self-isolating.
WSL fixtures Sat 9 January / Sun 10 January
Saturday 9 January
Manchester City vs West Ham POSTPONED
Aston Villa vs Arsenal 12:30pm
Sunday 10 January
Everton vs Manchester United 12pm
Tottenham vs Birmingham 2pm
Reading vs Chelsea 2pm
Bristol vs Brighton 2pm
The senior stars share a house and one of the players developed coronavirus symptoms.
The club requested a postponement of the clash but were told to make the trip to Manchester as the FA were satisfied the club had “followed Covid-19 protocols and had enough players available”.
Robins boss Tanya Oxtoby said the game should not have been played because of safety concerns, however no positive tests were returned.
An FA Spokesperson said the health and safety of players and staff will “always be the number one priority when coming to a decision on scenarios such as this”.
On Twitter, Hammers boss Beard blasted the decision.
He said: “Sends a terrible message.
“Aston Villa’s games were postponed. No one wants games to be called off but common sense has to be used.
“We don’t have big squads and our academy systems are relatively new.”
The WSL has been given the green light to resume this weekend despite the surge in coronavirus cases.
The FA confirmed on Tuesday that 15 positive results came back from the 635 tests that were carried out in the WSL and Championship between 28 December and 3 January.
Players in the top two divisions in women’s football are currently tested once a week.
SunSport understands that this will remain the same despite ramped up testing in the Premier League to twice a week.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk