Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace

Premier League • England

Crystal Palace blocked in bid to get Tottenham fixture postponed

Patrick Vieira Palace

Crystal Palace tried to get their Boxing Day visit to Tottenham postponed due to coronavirus, but failed.

Palace were in discussions with the Premier League on Christmas Day about postponing their trip across the capital. They had a number of new positive cases, which include boss Patrick Vieira, but the PA news agency understands the league was dissatisfied with the late application.

Former Arsenal midfielder Vieira will not be present at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he begins a period of self-isolation following his positive result. Spurs assistant manager Osian Roberts will be taking charge.

Vieira revealed on Christmas Eve that there were a “couple of cases” in the camp. But the increase over the following 48 hours was not deemed enough to see the game cancelled.

The Premier League announced last week that a game will be played if a team has 13 fit outfield players and a goalkeeper.

Both clubs announced the game would go ahead in its scheduled 3pm slot.

Palace later tweeted: “We can confirm that Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is self-isolating after returning a positive test for Covid-19, and will be absent from the touchline for today’s match against Spurs.

No hot reception

“Assistant manager Osian Roberts will deputise for Vieira for today’s match.”

Vieira had been expected a hot reception in north London.

“I am expecting more than just a couple of boos,” the Gunners great said with a smile.

“Tottenham is a really difficult place to go. The atmosphere, the players’ energy when they play at home, it is really good.

“We know what to expect so what is important for us is to play with courage, to play with confidence and belief to give ourselves the best chance to get the result. We know it will be difficult but we can make it as well difficult for them.”

The festive calendar has been decimated by the virus. Premier League games between Liverpool-Leeds, Wolves-Watford and Burnley-Everton already postponed. And just 10 games across the Football League survived.

League Two game postponed

Another League Two game scheduled for midweek has also been called off.

 

Leyton Orient announced Wednesday’s home clash against Newport has been postponed.

Orient said Newport had informed the EFL of a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.

A statement on Orient’s official website read: “Newport County informed the EFL that it would be unable to fulfil the fixture at the Breyer Group Stadium due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases in their squad.

“In light of the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant, the EFL will now review the circumstances surrounding the postponement.”

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