Premier League clubs at the beginning of the week will attempt to trigger a Christmas circuit breaker at an emergency summit.
Senior representatives from every top-flight side are meeting to discuss what has been described as a ‘festive firebreak’ as Covid continues to rip through the fixture schedule.
A short break, which would involve postponing one round of fixtures from December 28 to 30, is one of the options to be discussed. Although, it remains unclear whether it will gain the support of 14 of the 20 clubs needed to be introduced, as some such as Spurs have already had an enforced rest.
The financial ramifications of reneging on the various television deals are expected to be made clear, along with the fact that there is little space in the calendar given the disruption caused by a winter World Cup in Qatar.
The impact on player welfare will also be discussed. Players who have not yet been vaccinated will feature on the agenda. However, it is unlikely that those who refuse the jab will find themselves segregated in training and travel.
Protocol around calling off matches will also be discussed amid complaints from fans that the late call-offs are leaving them stranded. The Premier League is employing a ‘matchday minus one’ PCR testing system. Results are understood to take 12 hours, which leaves little time for maneuver.
There have also been raised eyebrows over the rescheduling of a meeting between players and captains which had been scheduled on Monday but had to be moved because of the summit. Some believe that it should have gone ahead and the views taken into account at boardroom level.
Some have heavily criticized the top flight, with a number of players still to get the jab. But after his Manchester City side’s 4-0 win at Newcastle United on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola made the point that the Covid spread was not just football’s issue.