Everton have confirmed that their Premier League game against Burnley on Boxing Day has been postponed.
The Blues were due to face Sean Dyche’s side at Turf Moor on Sunday but the match is now off due to a Covid outbreak among Rafa Benitez’s squad.
Benitez confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Everton had requested the game be postponed after suffering five positive tests and contending with six injuries.
However, that initial request was rebuffed by the Premier League, who deemed the Blues still had enough fit players in their squad to fulfil the fixture.
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But following another request for the match to be postponed by Everton on Friday, the Premier League this time granted the postponement.
A statement from Everton read: “Everton's scheduled Boxing Day match at Burnley has been postponed after a review of the Club's request due to injuries and positive COVID-19 cases in the Blues' First-Team squad.”
While a Premier League statement read: "Everton were due to travel to Turf Moor to play on Sunday, at 3pm.
“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 COVD-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."
Everton's next scheduled fixture is against Newcastle United in the Premier League at Goodison Park next Thursday (December 30).
