The Premier League 's Project Restart plans have been thrown into doubt after a third Brighton player tested positive for coronavirus.
The top flight's bosses were hoping to take a step towards returning to action in Monday's meeting with clubs, involving representatives from Manchester City and Manchester United.
But the plans, which have already been opposed by a number of clubs - including Brighton - could now face fresh opposition after Seagulls chief Paul Barber confirmed a third player tested positive on Saturday.
"It is a concern," he told Sky Sports .
"Unfortunately we've had a third player test positive yesterday (Saturday, May 9), so despite all of the measures that we've been taking over the past few weeks, where the players haven't been involved in any significant training at all, we've still suffered another player testing positive for the virus.
"So there are concerns and I think it's normal for all clubs to have those concerns. We want to make sure we do everything that we can to ensure those protocols are in place and are safe and secure and mitigate the risk as far as we can."
Barber has been vocal in his opposition to Project Restart plans.
In an interview with Brighton's club website on Sunday, he reasoned: “I’ve heard several times in the last week people talking about the greater good and doing what’s right for the game as a whole and I accept that.
“But I have to put a hierarchy in place: my club; the league that I represent; and the game as a whole.
“And if I can do right by my club and support the league and ultimately do right by the game as a whole, then that’s great, but I have to put the interests of my club and the hundreds of staff that work for our club first.
“In our first season we were in the Premier League, we contributed over £200 million to the local economy. We’ve helped create nearly 2,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, thanks to our promotion to the Premier League.
“I can’t support something that is going to put all of that economic value, people’s livelihoods, mortgage payments, school fees, food on the table for families, at stake for voting for something that I don’t think is fair.
“I wouldn’t expect any chief executive of any club to do anything other than what I’m doing, which is defend their club’s position first and foremost."
