Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has demanded Premier League sides to “trust their young players” after three Boxing Day fixtures were cancelled.
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc across the football calendar in recent weeks as the new Omicron variant continues to tear through the country.
Liverpool ’s clash against Leeds United, Wolves ’ battle against Watford, and Everton ’s tricky trip to Burnley were all postponed in the last round of fixtures.
It brought the total number of postponements this season to 15, as the Premier League announced a record 103 positive Coronavirus cases.
And Neville has urged the division to utilise and empower their youth academies and reserve sides to prevent further postponements across the season.
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“No way these clubs can’t get a team out,” Neville tweeted.
“We’ve seen in the PL when teams requests are rejected they end up playing near on full strength line ups.
“Time for clubs to get on with it and trust their young players unless in exceptional circumstances.”
Premier League rules currently dictate clubs must complete matches unless they are unable to field a team of 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper from its squad or its “appropriately experienced” Under-21 players.
While only six of the nine scheduled Boxing Day matches went ahead, Crystal Palace requested their clash against Tottenham to be postponed.
At first, the match appeared destined to fall victim to the expanding back-log of postponements, however, their request was rejected on the day of the contest.
It is believed the Premier League turned down their request as it was not submitted with enough notice.
As well as a significant number of first team players, the Eagles were also without manager Patrick Vieira who tested positive before the contest.
Assistant manager Osian Roberts had to deputise in the former Arsenal midfielder’s absence, as Palace were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Antonio Conte’s side.
“I don’t know how many we had unavailable who had Covid, who were returning from Covid, who were close contacts, injures and so on but ultimately you saw we were short of options,” Roberts said after the match.
“We’ve tried to get on with it the best we can.
“This morning we met at the hotel to prepare for the match. Most of the time we would do that on the previous evening but it’s difficult to do that with the situation as it is.
“As a bubble of coaching staff and players we do as we are told and prepare the best we can. We did that this morning before coming to the stadium.
“We are professional people and had to adjust. It’s something we have to live with.”
The significant number of postponements has resulted in some sides amassing a significant number of games in hand.
Only Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle United have managed to play the full 19 matches which was expected at this time of the season.
Meanwhile, the likes of Tottenham and Watford have three games in hand over their respective rivals, while Burnley have managed to amass four.
Sean Dyche’s side have not competed in a Premier League fixture since the 12 th December when they secured a 0-0 draw against West Ham United.
