December 17, (THEWILL) – The 20 EPL clubs have called a meeting for Monday to discuss the outbreak of COVID-19 and the consequent postponed games.
As THEWILL reported, five of the 10 Premier League games scheduled for this weekend have already been postponed due to the increase in COVID-19 cases at numerous clubs.
To this end, shareholders will meet on Monday but in the hopes of agreeing to prolong the campaign rather than implementing a circuit-breaker shutdown as occurred last year.
The majority of Premier League clubs are opposed to the season being paused, however those clubs that have been struck the worst by outbreaks are not necessarily opposed to a pause.
The top brass is becoming increasingly frustrated that managers are openly voicing their displeasure with the precedent of postponing games for COVID-related reasons, which was communicated to and voted on by each club before the season began.
Jurgen Klopp, who has publicly advocated for players and staff to be vaccinated and receive booster shots, stated on Thursday that he would prefer the season to continue.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish also said the league should continue on Friday morning.
Klopp and Parish’s comments came after Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said on Thursday morning that a circuit-breaker is needed to allow teams to “break the chain”.
Frank said,
“We think we should postpone the full round of Premier League games this weekend.
“Covid cases are going through the roof at all Premier League clubs, everyone is dealing with it and having problems.
“To postpone this round and also the Carabao Cup round would give everyone a week at least, or four or five days to clean and do everything at the training ground so everything is clean and you break the chain.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
