MY ACCOUNT
Everton’s Boxing Day trip to Burnley has been called off due to coronavirus.
The Toffees’ initial request to postpone the game was declined by the Premier League — but they have accepted a second plea from the club.
It is the third Boxing Day clash to be scrapped after Liverpool against Leeds and Watford’s trip to Wolves were both cancelled yesterday.
Prior to the game being cancelled, boss Rafael Benitez could not hide his surprise that it had not been called off.
“We have six injuries and five players with Covid. I am really surprised we are playing this game,” Benitez said.
“It is a difficult situation. When you talk about what is going on and the number of COVID cases in the country, we will have more and more cases every day.
“I don’t know the conditions of every club. I know our situation, we have six injuries, five players with Covid and now we have to pick players who have been out for a while or young players, and we have to take a risk putting them on the pitch and possibly in different positions.
“It will not be easy and I think it is not fair.
“What teams around Burnley and around us [in the Premier League table] will think in terms of the integrity of the league, I don’t know. Clearly, in this case, it is a surprise that we have to play this game.”
A Premier League statement said: “The Premier League board has this morning regrettably approved Everton’s request to postpone their Boxing Day away fixture at Burnley.
“The board reviewed the club’s request today to postpone the match following further injuries to their squad.
“They concluded that the club will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend as a result of an insufficient number of players available to play due to Covid-19 cases and injuries.
“The board this morning was able to make its decision in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their fans. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those supporters’ festive plans.
“The league is aware that the decisions this week to postpone three matches on Boxing Day will disappoint supporters, and understands their frustrations at a special time of year when fans look forward to attending and watching football games.”
As well as the three top-flight games, a further 20 EFL games have been postponed due to coronavirus outbreak as the Omicron wave sweeps across the country.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more details become available. Please keep refreshing the page.
