Premier League clubs will have to provide proof of a minimum of four positive Covid-19 cases to be able to request a postponement moving forward, it has been confirmed.
Due to the recent wave of the Omicron variant, English football has been hammered by postponements in recent weeks, including in the Premier League, where more than 20 fixtures have been postponed in the last six weeks or so.
Clubs have been able to request a postponement if they have determined that they have had an insufficient number of players available to them to fulfil the fixture in question, whether it be as a result of Covid-19 cases, injury issues or players away on international duty.
However, a statement released by the Premier League this afternoon has confirmed that, following a meeting amongst its member clubs, the Covid-19 match postponement guidance is to be changed from Saturday, February 5, with clubs set to be forced to provide evidence of a minimum of four positive Covid-19 cases to have a game called off.
A statement released by the Premier League read: "Throughout the pandemic, the Premier League has adapted its guidance in response to the wider public health situation. The guidance was last updated in December in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
"The League's postponement rules and guidance are designed to protect the wellbeing of players and staff, while maintaining the sporting integrity of the competition and the quality of squads playing League matches.
"Club applications will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Premier League Board examines a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of COVID-19; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.
"The detail within all applications is scrutinised by the League’s specialist staff before the Board makes its decision."
The announcement has come on the eve of the government's Covid-19 'Plan B' rules being scrapped, meaning supporters will no longer have to provide a Covid-19 vaccine certificate to enter matches, whilst other measures, such as mandatory mask-wearing, are to be dropped.
However, the Premier League has confirmed that its own Covid-19 Emergency Measures will be reviewed weekly, with the aim of them expiring on February 28 at the latest.
