A League Two club postpones their next three league fixtures, coming just hours before they were due to kick off Tuesday night’s game.
Scunthorpe United’s home fixture to Salford City will now not be going ahead, joining the League One fixture between Swindon Town and Accrington Stanley.
It becomes the second match from the English Football League to be called off due to the coronavirus within a teams’ camp.
Tonight’s game at Scunthorpe United has regrettably been postponed due to a number of COVID cases at Scunthorpe.
A new date and time will be announced in due course but in the meantime our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those affected at @SUFCOfficial.#WeAreSalford ??
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 27, 2020
Salford City said in a club statement issued at lunchtime: “Tonight’s trip to Scunthorpe United has been postponed.
“This morning we were made aware of the postponement due to a number of COVID-19 cases at Scunthorpe. The decision has been taken to avoid any risk of further infection and spread of the disease.
“Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go to those affected.
“Next week’s Central League fixture between the clubs has also been postponed.
“A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course. Next up for The Ammies will be the visit of Oldham Athletic to The Peninsula Stadium this Saturday.”
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The Iron said: “Scunthorpe United can confirm our next three Sky Bet League Two games have been postponed due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases amongst the playing and coaching staff.
“Due to these cases, the club has advised the EFL it is unable to safely fulfil the fixtures against Salford City (Tuesday, October 27th), Colchester United (Friday, October 30th) and Port Vale (Tuesday, November 3rd) at present.
“Following testing on Monday, a total of eight players have now tested positive for COVID-19, with a further 10 having to self-isolate due to coming into close contact with those particular players, leaving just 10 players available. As a precaution, training for the unaffected players and staff will also cease for seven days.
“The club is following all of Public Health England and the EFL’s COVID-19 protocols and will not name the players in question. We ask that their request for privacy and confidentiality are respected at this time.
“We wish those affected a swift and safe recovery, and look forward to welcoming them back to the club soon.
“iFollow match passes that have already been bought for the postponed games can be used for the rearranged fixtures.”
Meanwhile, manager Karl Robinson says he is refusing to accept a rearranged date for Oxford United’s home clash with Swindon Town.
The local derby was called off on Friday night after four confirmed coronavirus cases were announced, three of which were among the Robins’ coaching staff.
Swindon said they could not fulfil the fixture, leaving United unhappy after having two games with Crewe Alexandra called off due to coronavirus issues at the Cheshire club.
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In announcing the game had been postponed, the EFL statement said a “revised date for the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course”.
But Robinson felt the game could have gone ahead, so believes his side should have the points.
He said: “I’m refusing to accept the date from the EFL, they know that.
“I didn’t agree with the comment that we were waiting for a date.
“Why should there be a date? You had a date, it was Saturday and you couldn’t play it.
“Anything I say is borne out of pure frustration really. I just hope at some stage it gets resolved properly.
“That goes for us if we did it. We would deserve a points deduction and the other team should have the points.
“At no stage are we crucifying any one individual.
“This is a collective responsibility as an industry to make sure to the best of our ability we get as many games played as possible, whoever we have fit and available.”
Concerns are increasing on if the season can finish after seeing that a League Two club postpones their next three league fixtures…
How exactly have you come to that conclusion
— Josh Wentworth (@joshwentworth19) October 27, 2020
You can only speculate as to whether the shambles on Saturday has contributed towards this. Perhaps @EFL should review their protocol and policies.
— Nick Cooper (@nickcooper1974) October 27, 2020
More positive tests than points
— Alex (@alex_scunny) October 27, 2020
Right decision, hopefully everyone and their families are okay
— Rachel Saville (@rasiron) October 27, 2020
The @EFL need to take a close look at themselves for refusing to let the club postpone the game vs @OfficialECFC! Put many people at risk.
— TP (@TP094) October 27, 2020
@officialgtfc decision to isolate for 14 days looks like a good idea now doesn’t it, would have stopped this many people catching and spreading the disease ?
— nick williams (@chopsy22) October 27, 2020
Totally fair and reasonable because Scunthorpe aren’t Tranmere right?
— ??SWA1981?? (@SWA_1981) October 27, 2020
Tick tok tick tok league vote incoming save a bomb on this ifollow shite
— Cambo (@cambo691) October 27, 2020
Try investigating yourselfs you dummies. yer aint got a clue. How many more investigations do you want before the penny drops.
— stephen roberts (@Stever62Roberts) October 27, 2020
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