A clutch of EFL games have already been called off on December 26 due to outbreaks at clubs with the grim probability that there will be more to follow
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Football’s Boxing Day fixtures are falling at an alarming pace as a result of the coronavirus outbreaks taking place at various clubs.
As it stands there have been 20 games cancelled across the Championship, League One and League Two.
In addition, two top flight games also bit the dust on Thursday.
The Premier League have confirmed the Boxing Day clash between Liverpool and Leeds United, and Watford’s trip to Wolves have been cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
A statement from the league released on Thursday reads: “Following postponement requests from Leeds United and Watford as a result of COVID-19, the Premier League Board met this morning and regrettably agreed to call off the two affected clubs’ Boxing Day fixtures.
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“The two matches are Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford and Liverpool v Leeds United, both due to be played on Sunday at 12:30 GMT.
“The Board today was able to make its decisions in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their supporters. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those fans’ festive plans.
“The League is aware that the decision to postpone these two matches will disappoint supporters and understands their frustrations at a special time of year when fans look forward to attending and watching football games.”
Last weekend saw a total of 24 matches postponed across the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
The 20 top-flight clubs met on Monday afternoon to discuss the escalating crisis, with Omicron cases rising across the whole country. A similar meeting took place involving all 72 EFL clubs with the decision made to continue for the time being.
The EFL announced last week a tightening of restrictions around training and matches for clubs to help protect players and staff.
Regular testing and social distancing are just two of the protocols that were introduced in a bid to minimise the impact on what is hoped will be a busy festive schedule.
At present in the EFL, only 13 games are going ahead on Boxing Day.
Boxing Day postponements
Premier League
Liverpool v Leeds
Wolves vs Watford
Championship
Barnsley v Stoke
Cardiff v Coventry
Fulham v Birmingham
Millwall v Swansea
Peterborough v Reading
Preston v Sheffield United
League One
AFC Wimbledon v Charlton
Bolton v Morecambe
Crewe v Wigan
Gillingham v Ipswich
Portsmouth v Oxford United
Sheffield Wednesday v Burton Albion
Wycombe Wanderers v Cambridge United
League Two
Bristol Rovers v Sutton United
Bradford City v Harrogate Town
Colchester v Leyton Orient
Exeter City v Swindon Town
Newport County v Forest Green Rovers
Northampton Town v Walsall
Stevenage v Crawley Town
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