Report: PL set for rule change on COVID cancellations after controversy

The Premier League could decide that clubs need to show proof of four positive Covid-19 cases in their squad to have matches postponed from now on, The Daily Mail have revealed.

As many as 22 matches have been called off due to outbreaks of Covid-19 across Premier League clubs this season (Sky Sports).

The Premier League’s current regulations state that sides who want a match called off have to show they do not have 13 available players plus a goalkeeper, with injuries and absences due to international duty taken into account (Premierleague.com).

Arsenal used this rule to their advantage to have the North London derby called off two weeks ago despite having just two positive cases in their camp (The Athletic).

The Mail have now revealed that the Premier League are set to tighten up the criteria required for cancellation after several clubs expressed their discontent with the current regulations.

As a result, it is explained that the Premier League could move away from the available players criteria to demand proof of at least four active Covid cases among the squad.

Even that figure would allegedly be seen as just a ‘minimum requirement’ to apply for postponement rather than an automatic trigger for cancellation.

The Mail add that the proposal has already been backed by 18 clubs and could be in place from the next round of fixtures.

Spurs Web Opinion

This would certainly be a step in the right direction as it has become evident that some clubs are taking advantage of the Premier League’s arbitrary regulations on cancellations.

If the requirements are not tweaked, we are going to see an increasing number of matches being called off over the coming months.

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