Covid Rule A Big Mess Says Conte

Prem call-offs now laughable

- Matthew Dunn

LEICESTER V TOTTENHAM

7.30PM

ANTONIO CONTE says the Premier League have landed football in a “mess” with their handling of Covid postponements.

Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal was called off – although the Gunners were understood to be suffering from only one case of coronavirus.

However, injuries, suspensions and the Africa Cup of Nations left them with fewer than the stipulated 14 fit players available.

By contrast, Tottenham, who had at least seven first-team players test positive for Covid last month, could not get the Premier League to move their match against Leicester, scheduled for December 16.

Moving that game – which was ultimately postponed anyway after a Covid outbreak at Leicester – could have allowed Spurs to squeeze in their Europa Conference League match against Rennes, which was originally lost to the virus.