Just when sports was returning to normal, the Premier League has once again been hit by a COVID outbreak and the authorities are now having to postpone matches.
Several midweek fixtures had to be called off due to the outbreak amongst various clubs and the situation has gotten even gloomier as the PL have cancelled five games from the weekend.
The situation is worsening rapidly in the UK because of the omicron variant so we take a look at how things could pan out in the next couple of weeks and if the Premier League will actually enforce a circuit breaker.
Which Premier League clubs have been worst affected by the COVID outbreak?
Manchester United:
As per the reports, United have only seven first-team players available which is why their game vs Brighton had to be called off.
The Premier League confirm that Manchester United's game against Brighton on Saturday will be postponed due to rise of COVID-19 cases.
That is the fifth league game to be postponed this week. pic.twitter.com/mg4KGYIBV9
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 16, 2021
Watford:
Like United, Watford also don’t have enough players to name a full squad.
Tottenham:
At least nine first-team players plus a few staff members have tested positive which is why they have seen as many as three matches being postponed to date.
Brighton:
The Seagulls have as many as seven first-team players missing due to COVID or injury.
Brentford:
The Bees are probably the worst-hit Premier League side as they now have 13 first-team players who have tested positive.
Leicester:
Leicester also have 13 players missing right now but they have a mixed-bag of COVID cases as well as injuries.
The #PL Board has postponed a further four matches due to be played this weekend because of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases
Full details: https://t.co/9rUcsajUAj#SOUBRE | #WATCRY | #WHUNOR | #EVELEI pic.twitter.com/NeoGSHSF6t
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2021
Do the Premier League sides want to stop?
As per an ESPN report, several Premier League clubs feel the situation is too delicate and that the league should be halted until the new year.
The PL though are not yet inclined to put a halt to the regular fixtures and in their latest statement, they have made it clear that they will be looking at this situation on a case by case basis.
Will the Premier League shut down if the cases continue to rise?
The Premier League, as of now do not want to enforce a circuit breaker but the situation is certainly not getting any better in the whole country.
So no matter what the PL authorities are saying but they will ultimately have to follow the government guidelines.
