KOMPAS.com – The Premier League has officially changed the procedure for postponing matches due to positive cases of Covid-19.
Previously, every Premier League team was still required to compete if they still had at least 13 players outside the goalkeeper.
The rule indirectly illustrates that the Premier League does not care about how many positive cases of Covid-19 befall a team.
Because, all teams still have to compete if they still have at least 13 players outside the goalkeeper.
Most recently, the Premier League decided to change the rules on Wednesday (27/1/2022) night WIB.
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Any Premier League team can now submit a request to postpone a match if it finds at least four players who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Quoted from the BBC Sports website, the new rules take effect from 5 February 2022 just when the Premier League resumes.
In a statement, the Premier League decided to change the rules for the postponement of matches to maintain the integrity of the competition and protect all players and staff.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Premier League has always adjusted its guidelines to suit the health of the wider public,” read a Premier League statement.
“The Premier League board is constantly examining various factors including the club’s ability to mitigate the potential impact of Covid-19. We are also considering the readiness of the players to be able to play safely.”
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Until the 23rd week of the English Premier League this season, there have been 22 matches that had to be postponed due to Covid-19 reasons.
Burnley is the Premier League team whose match schedule has been most disrupted due to Covid-19.
Burnley’s five Premier League matches have been postponed due to Covid-19.
The rules or procedures for postponing Premier League matches have been criticized by many.
Chelsea coach, Thomas Tuchel, became one of the figures who had thrown criticism.
Unmitigated, Tuchel even considered the Premier League unfair when implementing the policy of postponing matches due to Covid-19.
Also read: 5 Facts about Chelsea Vs Tottenham, Tuchel Keeps 100 Percent Record
Chelsea was once a “victim” of the rules for postponing matches due to Covid-19.
The moment occurred when Chelsea faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 18th Premier League match, Sunday (12/19/2021).
Quoted from the BBC Sports website, Chelsea had asked for the match against Wolves to be postponed. This is inseparable from the Covid-19 storm that hit Chelsea.
A total of four Chelsea players have been confirmed positive for Covid-19 before the match against Wolves.
The four players are Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea’s condition was increasingly fragile after Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also sidelined through injury.
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However, Chelsea’s request to postpone the match was not granted by the Premier League.
Chelsea in the end “forced” to compete with a makeshift squad because they have 13 non-keeper players who can play.
As a result, the Chelsea bench at that time was filled with only six players, two of whom were goalkeepers.
Chelsea then had to settle for a point after being held to a goalless draw by Wolves.
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