Aston Villa Vs Newcastle Called Off After Outbreak Of Covid-19 Cases In Magpies Camp
A rise in coronavirus cases at Newcastle United has seen the club’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Friday postponed.
The Magpies reported that most of their players and staff have been forced to self-isolate after returning positive tests in recent days.
The game is the first to be postponed since Project Restart in June.
A club statement read: "Several Newcastle United players and staff members are now self-isolating at home after returning positive test results in recent days and the club's training centre site has been temporarily closed in order to contain the spread of the virus.
"With the Magpies' first team currently unable to prepare for the match as a group, Newcastle United lodged a request with the Premier League to postpone the fixture at Villa Park, which has been approved by the Premier League Board.
"Accordingly, the club is now working with Public Health England North East (PHE), local health authorities and the Premier League in line with Covid-19 protocols to identify the source of the outbreak and to ensure the risk of further transmission continues to be minimised.
"All players and training ground staff will be re-tested this week and a meeting between the club, Premier League and PHE will take place to assess the test results."
