Covid hits English Premier League, over 40 cases in week

London, december 14

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The English Premier League (EPL) reported its highest weekly coronavirus infections as Manchester United’s meeting with Brentford became the second match in three days to be postponed due to outbreaks.

There were 42 cases of Covid in the week to Sunday after 3,805 players and club staff were tested, a jump on the 12 cases in the previous seven days of testing. Some United players and staff returned positive tests following the 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday evening. The EPL board accepted United’s request to postpone Tuesday’s scheduled match at Brentford in less than 24 hours before kick-off.

The 40 positive cases at the turn of 2021 was the previous highest number of infections at Premier League clubs in a week since testing started to be announced in May 2020.

Auba stripped of captaincy

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dropped as the team’s captain following a disciplinary breach last week, the Premier League club said today.

The Gabon international will also be not considered for selection for Wednesday’s league game at home to West Ham United, the club added.

“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed,” Arsenal said in a statement. “We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match.”

Sergio Aguero set to retire?

Madrid: Reports in Spanish media suggested that Sergio Aguero could announce his retirement this week.

The rumours about his imminent retirement have been circulating in the media since he came off in his first match for Barcelona.

Aguero was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia since he was brought off after 41 minutes of his first start for the club after suffering chest pains. — Agencies