LONDON: The entire weekend’s Premier League programme was thrown into doubt last night after a further four games were postponed because of Covid-19 outbreaks.

Called off were Southampton v Brentford, Watford v Crystal Palace, West Ham v Norwich and Everton v Leicester.

Earlier on Thursday, Manchester United’s match with Brighton on Saturday was called off, along with Leicester City’s midweek game with Tottenham.

On Wednesday Brentford boss Thomas Frank called for the postponement of all this weekend’s top-flight fixtures to let clubs deal with the outbreaks but the Premier League is so far resisting that.

A statement said: “All other fixtures due to be played this weekend are currently scheduled to proceed as planned.”

Liverpool players Fabinho, Curtis Jones and Virgil van Dijk missed the 3-1 win over Newcastle after suspected positive tests, although manager Jurgen Klopp said that the club did not ask for a postponement.

Klopp added: “Honestly, I think at one point we have to make clear what exactly the rules are, but of course with three players out and this squad we wouldn’t have asked to not play a football game.”

Thursday’s other match saw Chelsea draw 1-1 at home to Everton after four of the London side’s players testing positive – Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and the injured Ben Chilwell.

A total of nine top-flight matches have been called off over the past week, the others being Tottenham’s match against Brighton last Sunday, Brentford’s game with Manchester United on Tuesday and Burnley’s match against Watford on Wednesday.

The Premier League said there was “an increase in positive Covid-19 cases” at Leicester on Thursday, while Manchester United have an ongoing outbreak.

United said they would also suspend training at their Carrington base for “a short period to help reduce risk of further transmission”.

The club added in a statement: “The health of players and staff is our priority. Given the number of players and support staff having to isolate due to Covid-19, the club had no option other than to request the match be rearranged.

“We regret any disappointment and inconvenience caused to fans by the postponement.”

Brighton manager Graham Potter questioned how long “football can continue on the path it’s on” after revealing his Covid-hit team wanted Wednesday’s game against Wolves, which they lost 1-0, to be postponed.

The Premier League said it “assesses applications on a case-by-case basis” and decisions are “based on existing rules and Covid-19 postponement guidance issued to all clubs”.

It added: “[The board] will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the Covid-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.

“The board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club may come into contact with.”

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