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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury

Everton still seeking answers on postponement as Manchester City resume training

Everton are still awaiting information on exactly why their Premier League match against Manchester City was postponed.

The Blues were due to host Pep Guardiola's team in an 8pm kick off on Monday evening.

But the clash was called off at short notice after five positive covid-19 cases were identified in the away side's camp.

And Everton are continuing to seek clarity on why the call was made - and why details were not shared with the club in the build up to the decision or afterwards, despite requests.

The ECHO understand that while Everton are pleased to see City have no suffered no more positive tests, they remain determined to get answers from the Premier League about the postponement.

In a statement released this afternoon, City confirmed training was set to restart after tests revealed no further positive cases of coronavirus.

The Citizens said: "Manchester City FC can confirm that first team training will resume at City Football Academy this afternoon.

"The full Covid-19 bubble underwent testing yesterday, and results have revealed no new positive cases.

"Safety remains our number one priority, and the Club will continue to proceed with great caution.

"The first team training buildings have undergone a deep clean over the past 48 hours, and the majority of these facilities will remain closed, with only essential operations around training resuming.

"The bubble will undergo further testing in the coming days, the results of which will inform and dictate the next steps.

"Everyone at Manchester City continues to wish speedy recoveries to all of our colleagues who remain in self isolation following their positive tests."

On Monday evening the Blues expressed "regret" that their encounter with City could not go ahead, and revealed they were "requesting full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so the club can be clear on why this decision was taken."

And as of tonight, Everton had still not received any further details explaining why the game against City was postponed.

In a statement released on Monday, the Premier League said: "Manchester City lodged a request with the Premier League today to rearrange the match following an increase in positive COVID-19 test results received by the club this morning, on top of the cases reported on Christmas Day.

"This rise has created uncertainty and the Premier League Board received medical advice that the match should be postponed. The Board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow.

"The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority. The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them."

Speaking in his press conference earlier today, Carlo Ancelotti was asked whether Everton had been given an update on the situation.

He said: "No we didn’t receive it yet, the further information. But I think soon we are going to have this, but until now no."

The Blues boss added: "The announcement was four hours [before kick-off].

"We were at the hotel but it doesn't matter if it's early, it doesn't change the situation which was quite clear. We move forward.”

City are due to play Chelsea away in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with Everton in action at home to West Ham on Friday.

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