The Premier League has confirmed that 40 players or staff have tested positive for coronavirus in the past week’s round of testing, representing a record increase in the number of cases.
In total, 2295 tests were carried out by the Premier League between 28 December and 3 January. The previous week’s testing had seen a then-record high of 18 positive cases.
The Premier League has been given permission to continue by the government during the third national lockdown, however, several players were found to have breached social distancing regulations over Christmas and New Year.
In a statement, the Premier League insisted it is confident that play will not be postponed, despite three matches being delayed at late notice during the past week.
“With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the league continues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols, fully backed by the government, to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled,” a statement read.
Manchester City and Fulham are understood to have suffered the bulk of positive results. City’s match against Everton on 28 December was postponed while Fulham’s fixtures against Tottenham and Burnley were also both called off.
The Premier League held discussions with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden on Monday evening following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a new national lockdown and further talks are expected to take place around measures to reduce the possibility of the virus spreading in communal areas, such as at training grounds and in pre-match accommodation.
Dowden is also believed to have warned that players’ blatant flouting of social distancing regulations could jeopardise the league’s ability to continue during the lockdown.
Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso, Erik Lamela and Sergio Reguilon were pictured at a gathering with West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini during the festive period, while Fulham are investigating pictures appearing to show striker Aleksandar Mitrovic with Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic on New Year’s Eve.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended full-back Benjamin Mendy at a pre-match press conference on Monday after he also breached restrictions on New Year’s Eve.
"It would be better if, before we judge others, we judge ourselves," Guardiola said. "Of course it was not correct what he has done, but don't judge him too much. Maybe many people have done the same. It's easy to judge others."
