Premier League has no plans to pause season, despite coronavirus postponements

Despite rising cases, the Premier League intends to go ahead with its schedule as planned

The Premier League has insisted it has no plans to pause its schedule, despite a second game being suspended in a matter of days due to coronavirus cases. Fulham's request to have their game with Tottenham postponed due to a number of fresh cases amongst playing staff was granted by the Premier League on Wednesday. It followed the news that Manchester City's game at Everton had been called off in similar circumstances on Monday. While recently appointed West Brom boss Sam Allardyce called on those in charge of English football's top flight to instigate a "circuit break" to combat the rapid rise in cases, the Premier League has indicated the idea of a pause has not been discussed.

"The league continues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled, and these protocols continue to have the full backing of government," it said.

"With the health of players and staff the priority, the league is also fully supportive of how clubs are implementing the protocols and rules."

Although the schedule will continue to run, fans will again be absent from all matches following the reintroduction of tighter restrictions by the government on Wednesday.

Many grounds are situated in what are now classified as Tier 4 areas. Merseyside has been moved to Tier 3, meaning Liverpool and Everton can no longer welcome 2,000 supporters to their home matches as had been the case in recent weeks.