![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/2.57332922.jpg\")
The Premier League has announced it has \u201cno plans\u201d to pause the season and \u201ccontinues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled\u201d.<\/p>\nThe Premier League has announced it has \u201cno plans\u201d to pause the season and \u201ccontinues to have confidence in its Covid-19 protocols to enable fixtures to be played as scheduled\u201d.<\/p>\n
Wednesday night\u2019s match between Tottenham and Fulham was postponed after a coronavirus outbreak at the west London club.<\/p>\n
The Cottagers returned a number of positive test results on Tuesday and, after more came in on Wednesday, the Premier League decided to call the match off less than three hours before the scheduled 6pm kick-off.<\/p>\n
It becomes the third top-flight game to be wiped out by the virus, following Newcastle\u2019s match with Aston Villa earlier this month and Monday\u2019s game between Everton and Manchester City.<\/p>\n
Despite some calls \u2013 including from new West Brom manager Sam Allardyce \u2013 for a \u201ccircuit-breaker\u201d in fixtures to help tackle the fast-developing situation across the country, the competition will continue as planned.<\/p>\n
A Premier League statement read: \u201cThe Premier League has not discussed pausing the season and has no plans to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the health of players and staff the priority, the League is also fully supportive of how clubs are implementing the protocols and rules.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is understood Spurs are unhappy about the decision and the timing of it. There had been speculation throughout the day that the game might be called off and manager Jose Mourinho indicated his frustration in an Instagram post shortly after 2pm.<\/p>\n
Mourinho posted a video on his account of his staff waiting for news with a message which read: \u201cWe still don\u2019t know if we play. Best league in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The video was filmed at 2.02pm \u2013 something the Portuguese made clear by showing the time in the corner of a TV screen in the room.<\/p>\n
The Premier League said the postponement followed a board meeting after Fulham had lodged a request to rearrange the fixture \u201cfollowing a significant rise in positive Covid-19 cases, as well as a number of players showing symptoms (on Wednesday)\u201d.<\/p>\n
After consulting medical advisors, the decision to postpone the game was \u201ctaken as a precaution and with the health of players and staff as the priority\u201d.<\/p>\n
Fulham said the players and staff who tested positive have been self-isolating \u201cin line with UK Government and Premier League guidance\u201d, with the group set to be retested.<\/p>\n
The Premier League had announced on Tuesday there had been a season-high 18 positive tests in the latest round of testing across the clubs.<\/p>\n
Fulham confirmed the postponement followed \u201ca number of the club\u2019s players and first-team staff returning positive results from the most recent Covid-19 tests this week\u201d.<\/p>\n
It added: \u201cThis decision follows discussions with the Premier League and advice from Public Health England.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose players and staff who tested positive have been self-isolating in line with UK government and Premier League guidance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish the players and staff who tested positive a safe and speedy recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n