Manchester City vs Everton called off amidst coronavirus fears
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A growing coronavirus outbreak at Manchester City led to the postponement of Monday’s Premier League match at Everton and forced the team to close its training ground.
Pep Guardiola’s team had announced on Friday that striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker had tested positive for COVID-19 along with two staff members. However, Manchester City played against Newcastle and won 2-0.
Fresh Covid tests have led to a number of positive cases at City
In the most recent round of testing, the club have now confirmed a number of positive tests have been returned
The fixture at Everton was postponed on medical grounds, while the City Football Academy has been closed indefinitely to stop the spread within Manchester City’s training bubble.
The Manchester City statement read: “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.
“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.”
A Premier League statement released read: “Manchester City lodged a request with the Premier League today to rearrange the game following an increase in positive Covid-19 test results received by the club this morning, on top of the cases reported on Christmas Day.
“This rise has created uncertainty and the Premier League Board received medical advice that the match should be postponed.
“The Board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow.
“The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them.
“The League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture against Everton in due course.”
The Manchester City players will be tested for Covid-19 again on Tuesday, and the results of the testing will determine whether it is possible for the Chelsea fixture to go ahead.
A section at City believe that the outbreak has emanated from their trip to London for their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on December 22. The Gunners have not been attached any blame however.
London was placed into Tier 4 coronavirus restriction on Sunday December 20. A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus was found to be driving increased infection numbers in London and the South East.
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