The Premier League has returned its highest number of positive coronavirus tests this season, with Sheffield United the latest club to reveal an outbreak.
The Premier League has returned its highest number of positive coronavirus tests this season, with Sheffield United the latest club to reveal an outbreak. Between December 21 and 27, the League tested 1,479 players and club staff and 18 tested positive. They will now self-isolate for a period of 10 days. The previous highest number of cases was 16, during the week of November 9-15. A report in the Telegraph on Tuesday claimed several Premier League clubs have discussed the feasibility of a two-week ‘cooling-off’ period in January to help sides cope with outbreaks. However, the PA news agency understands the governing body is unaware of any such talks taking place. Blades boss Chris Wilder revealed ahead of their evening kick-off at Burnley that the club had seen “a couple” of players and “four or five backroom staff” test positive. Wilder’s starting XI was unaffected, with just one change from the previous match, Oliver Burke dropping to the bench, but he was only able to name seven of a possible nine substitutes. Wilder said neither he nor the club were looking to have the game delayed. “It’s not an ideal situation but I don’t think we’re a club of one. It (the virus) is picking up and it’s running high at football clubs,” he told SUTV. “We just notified the relevant authorities that we’ve had a situation at the football club. But I want to play football. That’s how it is, we’re not looking to get anything canned. We did the right thing as far as our responsibility to the Premier League and notified them regarding the players that are ill.
