Covid outbreak at QPR leads to postponement despite WBA being "forced" to play

QPR's game with Sheffield United on Monday has been postponed due to a Covid outbreak at the London club.

Rangers requested for the Championship match at Bramall Lane to be called off in light of a number of positive Covid-19 cases within their camp.

The decision came just 24 hours after West Bromwich Albion were made to fulfil their league fixture with Reading. The Baggies went into the game with a clutch of positive cases and had to fill their bench with six untested youngsters.

Despite sealing a 1-0 victory with a patched-up team, Albion boss Valerien Ismael claims that the club attempted to get the game called off but were knocked back.

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Ismael said: "We tried to postpone the game but the EFL forced us to play.

"It wasn't only positive cases - some had symptoms as well. We explained to the EFL and the doctor from the EFL said it was an outbreak but they forced us to play.

"I'm more than proud and I congratulate the guys. You can't imagine what a very difficult week this has been.

"Every day a player came in with symptoms and tested negative then tested positive.

"There were staff members as well and other people who work at the club.

"It was a very difficult week to manage and after the press conference on Friday, we had another two positive cases.

"We didn't want to complain or look for excuses. We accepted the challenge and we got our reward."

Under EFL regulations, it is the responsibility of each club to inform the league that a fixture cannot be fulfilled.

Following the announcement that Monday's game will not take place, QPR released a club statement that said: "Monday's Sky Bet Championship fixture between Sheffield United and QPR has been postponed.

"QPR have informed the EFL that, following several positive COVID-19 tests among our players and staff, we have insufficient numbers to fulfil the fixture.

"The circumstances surrounding the postponement will now be the subject of an investigation in accordance with EFL regulations. A rearranged date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will update supporters with further information as soon as it is available."

Earlier this week, in light of new restrictions being brought in to halt the rising spread of Omicron cases, the EFL issued guidance to clubs regarding the segregation of players whilst travelling on team coaches.

The 72 clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two are also being asked to consider increased mask-wearing whilst treatment times per player is to be reduced down to 15 minutes to prevent two individuals from spending an increased amount of time together in close proximity.

Last week saw an outbreak at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur lead to two games being called off.

Their Europa Conference League game against Rennes was shelved before their Premier League meeting with Brighton, scheduled for Sunday, also fell to the same fate.

On Sunday, Manchester United announced they too have a number of players testing positive. All players returned negative tests prior to Saturday night's game at Norwich, but there were a number of positive lateral flow results on Sunday morning.

And then Aston Villa became another side to announce a Covid outbreak. Of those who have tested positive for the virus, one has been identified as a member of Villa's playing staff.