Tottenham’s Premier League match in Brighton has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak | Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham’s Premier League match in Brighton on Sunday was called off due to the Covid outbreak at the London club, with every major club being asked to re-introduce ’emergency measures’ to limit injuries.

Tottenham said, on Wednesday, that eight players had tested positive, which led to the postponement of their Europa League match against Rennes on Thursday. Brighton’s game now also needs to be rearranged.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte described everyone at the club as “a little scared” amid a surge in positive Covid cases that prompted the closure of the first-team area of ​​the training ground.

A Premier League statement read: “Brighton & Hove Albion’s home match against Tottenham Hotspur, scheduled to take place on Sunday 12 December at 2pm, has been postponed following this afternoon’s Premier League board meeting.

“Tottenham requested a re-arrangement of the match after a large number of positive Covid-19 cases among the players and staff involved. This resulted in the closure of First Team facilities at the club’s training center after consultation with the Premier League and the UK’s Health Security Agency.

“The Premier League board has taken the decision to postpone the match following guidance from medical advisors, prioritizing the health of players and staff. The postponed match will be rescheduled in time and the Premier League wishes a speedy recovery to those affected by Covid-19.”

Tottenham Covid outbreak: Emotional Conte ‘afraid’ of the situation – video

After confirming the postponement, the Premier League’s board of directors wrote to all 20 clubs advising a return to the “emergency measures” last seen in the summer, when a series of Covid-19 outbreaks disrupted pre-season preparations. The measures will require masks to be worn indoors, limit time spent in close contact – such as medical treatment rooms – and likely also include the return of spot checks to ensure procedures are being followed.

The change came along with uncertainty about the new government’s Covid measures known as “Plan B”. Official government guidance says that from next Wednesday, sporting events “will be required by law to verify that all visitors 18 years of age or older have been fully vaccinated, have evidence of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or that They have an exemption.”

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However, The Guardian understands that the checks will likely not apply to all visitors, as final terms and conditions have yet to be worked out with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. There is also a lack of clarity about exactly where the new measures are eligible. The rules, for example, state that checks must apply at stadiums hosting more than 4,000 permanent spectators but some organizers believe this number refers to regular attendance figures, not potential capacity.

A new clarification of the rules, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced on Wednesday, is expected by the beginning of next week, just two days before it is expected to be introduced. The Football Association has already spoken twice with its clubs about these checks, while the Premier League reminded fans on Thursday that they “must be prepared” to show evidence of a Covid vaccination, or a negative test, as part of current competition protocols.

In their own statement regarding the postponements, Tottenham apologized to both Rennes and Brighton. She said: “The club has requested that the match be rearranged after a large number of positive Covid-19 cases among the players and staff involved.

“As with the other affected match, against Stade Rennais in the European Conference League, we will update fans with more information as soon as it becomes available. We would like to apologize to everyone at Stade Rennais, Brighton & Hove Albion and to our fans and supporters for any inconvenience it may cause us.”

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