Man City outbreak means fixture chaos with Carabao Cup semi vs Man Utad and Chelsea clash major doubts
MANCHESTER CITY'S coronavirus outbreak has sparked fixture chaos – with next week's huge trips to Chelsea and neighbours United in doubt.
Monday night's clash at Everton was called off four hours before kick-off as more positive tests for City followed those of Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker and two staff members.
Pep Guardiola's men are due to visit Chelsea in the Premier League next Sunday and United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals three days later.
But City's training ground is closing for an "indeterminate period" as clubs chiefs cite "a risk the virus could spread" and the "security of the bubble compromised".
Football bosses now face a headache amid concern over the rising second wave of Covid-19 as City's next two games seem certain to need rearranging.
League Two Orient had to forfeit a Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham early this season due to a Covid-19 outbreak – but it is understood competition rules allow new dates to be fixed for the semis and final.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was among those on social media pondering on City deepening football's hectic schedule for the second half of the campaign.
The United legend tweeted: "Sounds like Chelsea on the 3rd and the League cup semi v United all gone!"
And although some fans claimed it was unfair Orient were booted out, Nev doubted the same fate would befall City.
He posted: "Not sure they will but I think @leytonorientfc will be watching closely."
Tournament rules for the first four rounds appear to have been different anyway – with no leeway for postponements.
One of the first to point this out was journalist Ben Jacobs.
He tweeted: "Unlike Leyton Orient, #MCFC will be granted a postponement if they can’t fulfil their @Carabao_Cup semi-final with #MUFC.
"The forfeit rule, applied to Orient, is only for games up to and including round four…"
City say they will only consider resuming training once their squad and other people in their bubble have been tested again.
A club statement said: "After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day."
And after the Everton match was called off, Prem bosses insisted: "The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them."
Source: Read Full Article