The Premier League faces its biggest threat with suspension dangling overhead like the sword of Damocles since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020 with the new Omicron variant spreading its way through the country. And with postponements already taking place, clubs fear that the new variant could bring the season to an end.
There are rising fears regarding schedule arrangements ahead of the 2022 World Cup, with the Daily Mail reporting that clubs anxious that the season could well be over if similar protocols are introduced due to the transmission of the new Omicron variant.
The report also states that clubs are wary that the season could be shut down due to the rapid spread of Omicron amongst the public.
The Premier League has posted a record 42 cases of COVID-19 among players and staff at various clubs over the past week. This was on Monday only hours after the Manchester United vs Brentford fixture was doubtful after an outbreak at the the Carrington training grounds.
The 42 positive tests from over 3,800 individuals – more than the tally from the previous seven weeks combined – is a record in the English top flight in a single week.
“The League has reverted to its Emergency Measures, and will increase the frequency of both Lateral Flow and PCR COVID-19 testing of players and staff,” it said in a statement.
United had no options but to close down their training complex following positive COVID-19 tests in the first team. The Reds are scheduled to play at Brentford on Tuesday but the club said they had approached the Premier League to discuss whether the match should proceed as scheduled.
Old Trafford were discreet on how many individuals had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“Individuals who tested positive are isolating per Premier League protocols,” the club said in a statement.
“Given cancellation of training and disruption to the squad, and with the health of players and staff the priority, the club is in discussion with the Premier League whether it is safe for Tuesday’s fixture against Brentford to continue.
“Team and staff travel to London will be deferred pending the result of that discussion.”
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard and Brighton & Hove Albion coach Graham Potter also said they had players who had tested positive for COVID-19.
“We re-tested this morning and we have got a couple of staff and a couple of players missing for the foreseeable future,” Gerrard said.
Potter said Brighton had “three or four” cases. “Now we’re just checking and making sure it’s at that number.”
The previous week saw two Tottenham Hotspur matches – their final Europa Conference League group game against Rennes and the weekend’s league trip to Brighton – called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the club affecting players and staff.
While the Brighton game has been postponed, UEFA said the Conference League tie will not be played due to a lack of available days on the calendar, with Spurs risking an exit from the competition if they are forced to forfeit.