Gary Neville tells clubs to ‘get on with it’ and stop postponing games due to Covid-19

Callum Boyle

Neville also called for clubs to put their faith in youngsters

Gary Neville has called for Premier League clubs to ‘get on with it’ and ‘trust their young players’ as an alternative to postponing games due to Covid-19 cases.

So far, 15 matches in the top-flight have been called off in December alone have been postponed due to rising cases as a result of the Omicron variant.

🚨 Our Premier League fixture against Wolves has been postponed 👇#ARSWOL

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2021

The league’s rules state that clubs are required to fulfil their fixtures if they have a minimum of 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper in the squad.

Along with the Premier League, several EFL games have also been postponed, with some supporters being notified with less than two hours notice that their game will not go ahead.

Neville was responding to talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham’s tweet in which he posted the EFL’s regulations on playing games during Covid outbreaks.

Completely agree Adrian . No way these clubs can’t get a team out. We’ve seen in the PL when teams requests are rejected they end up playing near on full strength line ups . Time for clubs to get on with it and trust their young players unless in exceptional circumstances . https://t.co/Nst7l6M6SG

— Gary Neville (@GNev2) December 28, 2021

It read: “Clubs will be expected to play where it has 14 players including a goalkeeper available from the club’s registered squad list.

“Under-21 players not on the squad list but [who] have played one League match”, or “any other contracted player not on the squad list” will also be eligible to play.

The presenter then wrote himself: “Here is @EFL rules on postponing games. Championship 1st team sqd [squad] + U23s = about 40 players. So 26 out?

“Possible but maybe games being called off too easily, more scrutiny needed. If things aren’t right points should be forfeited and costs paid to club robbed of a home fixture.”

Neville was in agreement with the suggestion and replied by calling for clubs to continue playing despite the number of absentees.

He said: “No way these clubs can’t get a team out. We’ve seen in the PL when teams requests are rejected they end up playing near on fun strength line-ups.

“Time for clubs to get on with it and trust their young players unless in exceptional circumstances.”

The comments come after the Premier League recently confirmed that 103 tests had come back as positive – the highest number recorded since tests first began.

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