Explaining the Premier League Postponement Crisis

It could be a hectic end to the season in the Premier League following a large number of fixtures being postponed over the past few months. More than 20 games have had to be deferred due to injuries, international call-ups, and the effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

While the health and safety of all involved is paramount, there are many questions that have been raised over the suitability of the current guidelines that determine if a game can go ahead.

Currently, teams need a goalkeeper and 13 outfield players to fulfil a fixture under current Covid-19 guidelines, but players on international duty and injured can be on the list of absentees too, so it’s led to comments that teams are taking advantage of the rule so that games can be postponed.

When the Premier League game between Spurs and Arsenal was postponed, it caused a huge fuss, The Gunners applied for the temporary cancellation of the game just a matter of days before the fixture due to a lack of available players, which was accepted. However, they had a full complement of Under 23s, many of whom have signed professional contracts, although the argument is to play them would put them at a distinct disadvantage.

Moreover, little consideration seems to be being given to the fans. One example of this was reported by the Leicester Mercury, when Leicester City’s game against Tottenham Hotspur was called off on the day, citing injuries and positive Covid-19 cases in the squads, leaving fans who had already in the vicinity of the stadiums out of pocket.

Although Arsenal have requested a game to be postponed, they’ve also experienced the other side of the coin. When Liverpool’s squad was depleted ahead of their Semi-Final in the Carabao Cup, it resulted in their game being rescheduled for a week later than initially planned. Liverpool went on to make the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Arsenal, and they’re favourites to win the competition in the latest Ladbrokes matchday odds. With a side weakened by Covid, injuries and the AFCON, they might have lost the game had they not called it off. So, could it be suggested that these decisions are just as much about maintaining the integrity and respect for the competitions, as much as the guidelines?

Burnley are the club that have had the most games affected by the Premier League postponements, they had three games in succession called off in December, and they now have five games to catch up on, which they’ll have to fulfil before the end of the season.

However, while clubs in the top flight are not taking to the field, teams in lower leagues with much smaller squads are getting on with it. Lincoln City, who plays in League One two tiers below the Premier League, recalled a defender from his loan to fulfil their game against Sunderland. They travelled to start the game with just 14 outfield players, and it was a fixture they went on to win. This is why fans are unhappy; how can the clubs with more players and much bigger resources seemingly be suffering more than those further down the football pyramid?

Thankfully, though, common sense has prevailed as things are once again being reviewed. The Premier League will likely implement new rules after the international break in early February to redress the balance. Then finally, the talk will be able to get back to what’s happening on the field, rather than what’s happening off it.