Tottenham's Premier League clash with Fulham postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak
By Ali Rampling
Spurs' clash with Fulham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests in the visitors camp, becoming the second Premier League match in three days to be postponed because to the pandemic.
Everton's match against Manchester City was cancelled just four hours before kick off after the four-time Premier League champions lodged a late request to postpone the match due to a rise in cases at the club.
Prior to that, Aston Villa versus Newcastle at the beginning of December had been the only top flight game postponed due to positive coronavirus tests.
The Premier League released a statement confirming the postponement of Wednesday's fixture, which was a request from Fulham after the club returned a number of positive tests a day before the game.
"Fulham lodged a request with the Premier League Board to rearrange the fixture following a significant rise in positive COVID-19 cases, as well as a number of players showing symptoms today," the statement read.
"The Premier League Board has consulted its medical advisors and the decision to postpone the game has been taken as a precaution and with the health of players and staff as the priority. The group will now be retested immediately.
"With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the Premier League continues to have full confidence in its COVID-19 protocols and being able to continue to play our fixtures as scheduled.
"The League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in due course."
Tottenham released a statement on the club's official website, echoing the sentiments of the Premier League.
"The Premier League informed us of the decision this afternoon, with Fulham having requested the postponement on the grounds of the number of COVID-19 positive cases among their players and staff," the statement read.
"Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends their best wishes to Fulham for a safe and speedy recovery to all those who are affected."
We can confirm that our Premier League home fixture against Fulham, scheduled to take place this evening, has been postponed.#THFC ⚪️ #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 30, 2020
Guidance in the Premier League 2020-21 handbook states that permission to postpone a league match will not be granted if the club applying for the postponement has "14 or more players listed on its squad list available.”
Fulham have had previous with COVID over the Christmas period, with boss Scott Parker missing his side's Boxing Day stalemate with Southampton because a member of his household had tested positive.
On Tuesday, 18 positive coronavirus tests from players and staff were recorded in the Premier League - the highest so far this season. The rise in cases has led to some top flight managers calling for a circuit break - which has divided opinion across the division.