Just four Premier League games were played at the weekend after several COVID-19 outbreaks at clubs, but the busy festive fixture list looks as though it is going ahead unchanged following a meeting between executives on Monday.
There are games on Boxing Day followed by two more rounds of fixtures on 28, 29, 30 December
and 1, 2 and 3. January
The Premier League will continue as planned throughout the festive period following a meeting between executives from clubs on Monday.
Six out of 10 Premier League matches were postponed at the weekend because of COVID-19 outbreaks among numerous teams.
That led to speculation that at least one round of fixtures in the coming weeks could be called off to give players more recovery time as squads continue to be stretched.
However, the Premier League confirmed in a statement on Monday evening that the games are set to go ahead as scheduled.
“It was confirmed at a Premier League club meeting today that while recognising several clubs are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and challenges, it is the league’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible.
The health and wellbeing of all concerned remain our priority and the League will continue to monitor and reflect public health guidance, always proceeding with caution.
A range of issues were discussed at this afternoon’s meeting, including the adoption of the Premier League COVID-19 postponement process in response to the impact of the Omicron variant.
The League also confirmed to its clubs today that 92 per cent of players and club staff have received one, two or three COVID-19 vaccination doses, with 84 per cent of players on the vaccination journey.
Players who have had one or two doses are required to wait for the appropriate period before receiving either their second or booster vaccinations.
The League continues to work with clubs to encourage vaccination among players and club staff, as well as promote the government’s public-health vaccination messaging to clubs and the wider public.
No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League, and player vaccination rates will now be publicly communicated at the end of each month, beginning in January”, a detailed release by the EPL revealed.
The next round of EPL matches takes place on Boxing day.
