The Premier League will hold an emergency meeting this morning due to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta testing positive for the coronavirus.
The Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding fixtures after Mikel Arteta tested positive for COVID-19
Statement: https://t.co/ofi5DhIQZM pic.twitter.com/RmnxRHXooz
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 12, 2020
This is the statement from the Premier League:
In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting on Friday morning regarding future fixtures.
The Premier League will make no further comment until after that meeting.
It has also been reported that Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive as well. BBC’s Dan Roan is suggesting that suspension of the EPL is now very likely.
Premier League emergency phone-conference at 10.30am
*Suspension of several weeks most likely, to take in international break.
*Abandonment unlikely at this stage.
* Hudson-Odoi & Arteta both test positive https://t.co/INjvLAuL9p— Dan Roan (@danroan) March 13, 2020
The Telegraph is now reporting that Watford sent three players home from training yesterday after displaying symptoms of the virus. Brendan Rodgers revealed a similar situation at Leicester City with some of his players.
Revealed: Watford the club at centre of Thursday's Premier League coronavirus outbreak | @JBurtTelegraph https://t.co/hTT8Jv7TEN
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) March 13, 2020
The Premier League meeting will take place at 10:30AM. We’ve not seen any indication that Steve Bruce will hold his press conference before then, so that has likely been delayed until after the Premier League makes a decision on this week’s fixtures.
***Update***
Steve Bruce will hold his press conference as originally planned at 9:30AM.
What Will Be The Result Of Saturday's Match Against Sheffield United?
- Win (51%, 476 )
- Draw (25%, 238 )
- Loss (24%, 226 )
Total Voters: 940
28 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2020 at 8:51 AM
Comment #1Nymag,
I’ll spare the repost.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2020 at 8:55 AM
Comment #2On topic.
Get them postponed. More footballers are going to get this. You are going to end up with a situation where teams are going to know exactly what result is required to qualify for Europe or get relegated. You could have a situation where West Ham and Villa could play for a draw knowing that a point each would relegate Bournemouth or Watford and see a repeat of that disgraceful Austria vs Germany game.
Neil Harrison
Mar 13, 2020 at 8:56 AM
Comment #3Steve Bruce will hold his press conference as originally planned at 9:30AM.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2020 at 8:58 AM
Comment #4Neil,
Surely they have to be suspended, if not just to contain the virus but to make it a level playing field in the competition.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:03 AM
Comment #5Neil
Could you add “Abandoned” to the results for Saturday’s match, just to cover all the bases.
Munster Mag
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:12 AM
Comment #6Cancel the league and deny Liverpool the title. 🙂
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:15 AM
Comment #7A League suspension is the only logical way forward. People say that footballers are among the fittest and healthiest people on the planet, which is likely true, but we know through tragic circumstance that they are still potentially harbouring undetectable heart defects and some play despite chronic illnesses like asthma.
As such, they need to be protected as much as the rest of the population. If there’s even a chance that they could be exposed to the virus just by stepping on the pitch, that risk needs to be removed.
All club training facilities need to be closed, also.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:16 AM
Comment #8Cancel the season
Would be quite ironic that two teams’ Holy Grail
Liverpool winning the Premiership
Leeds being promoted
Could be denied
NY Mag
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:17 AM
Comment #9Jail,
Very reasonable (and thorough) explanation – thank you
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:22 AM
Comment #10So, it’s the Premier League, not the FA, which is meeting today.
In terms of the FA Cup, even if the PL is cancelled, the Cup is subject to a separate decision, as is the Champo and the lower Leagues.
I’d expect the FA to follow the PL on this, however. Presumably they are a stakeholder in the PL and will therefore have a voice around the table.
Just a (minor) point of order.
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:23 AM
Comment #11Wow, someone’s up early….
😉
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:24 AM
Comment #12Neil, too, come to think of it.
Is it National Get Up At Daft O’Clock Day in the USA?
lochinvar
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:24 AM
Comment #13Just extend the season until the end of June when hopefully warmer weather prevails and the virus is kicked into touch.
Start the new season later say September, abolish any winter breaks or International breaks and if necessary play the same number of games in a shorter time.
Are the FA capable of thinking like this ?
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:24 AM
Comment #14Rob
The early bird catches the wum
lochinvar
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:27 AM
Comment #15Maybe a Pools panel could sit and determine the outcomes of games and points awarded.
Used to be the norm when you filled in your Littlewoods or Vernons Coupon when games weren’t played due to winter weather and abandoned matches.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:28 AM
Comment #16Let’s just hope it doesn’t snow in the next week, otherwise Britain may never recover.
I hope you’re all in your designated panic stations ready for action and possibly snow ball fights.
Ron Knee
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:31 AM
Comment #17“Eddie Howe is an early bird but Bournemouth have understandably delayed his press conference as they await further guidance from the league, pushing back his 9am press call until 1.30pm GMT. Steve Bruce, it says, here, is set to defy logic and speak at around 9.30am this morning.” (Grauniad)
Ron Knee
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:32 AM
Comment #18Everton players self-isolating.
Zele
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:34 AM
Comment #19Charlie @ 8
I think it’s reasonable to declare that Liverpool would be champions as they are so far ahead of their nearest rivals.
The real issue is the bottom three clubs and those immediately above them as who is to say that those same clubs would be in the same position if the league was not impacted by the Coronavirus. The same is true of the clubs in the top positions of the Championship.
A real conundrum for the league officials.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:36 AM
Comment #20I’m happy to help the leagues out and do predictions.
Even at this late stage I’m sure I could still relegate Sunderland.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:36 AM
Comment #21Steve Bruce on hearing there are six Sheff Utd players out with corona.
“Well you knoow, that’s just the wey it is. I can’t think of a better time to pley them. We’ve had more than that out for most gaymes and we’re having a fantastic season”
hibbit
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:37 AM
Comment #22why not just take a 4 week break before making any rash decision,
Zele
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:37 AM
Comment #23lochinvar @ 13
You don’t need to have the last two words in your last sentence, I suggest.
DubaiMicky
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:39 AM
Comment #24The league and cups will all be indefinitely suspended, that will mean that we’ll be safe and bought out.
Saturday 8 August 2020 is the start of the 20/21 competition, so that’s when it will all start again.
#cans!
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:41 AM
Comment #25I’m still confident theres no sale in the near future.
NY Mag
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:42 AM
Comment #26RobL,
Not quite as early as you may think (we switched to daylight savings time last weekend)
Still early though…..I’m gonna snooze while watching the disaster unfold on the news 🙂
Il’ll be back on the night shift as usual……have a nice day 😀
lochinvar
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:49 AM
Comment #27Everton puts first team squad and coaching staff into isolation
Premier League football club Everton have put their entire first team playing squad and coaching staff into isolation.
The Liverpool-based club says the “precautionary measure” was taken after an unnamed player reported symptoms of coronavirus.
Ron Knee
Mar 13, 2020 at 9:51 AM
Comment #28Chris Waugh@ChrisDHWaugh
20m
Bruce: “We’ll await PL meeting. We’ll train but we’ll be governed by others. To play behind closed doors is not the answer in my opinion. Suspend it, shut it down & wait to see about the future. It’s about supporters & their welfare is most important” #NUFC #coronavirusuk #SUFC