Everton’s Premier League clash with Burnley on Boxing Day has been cancelled after a Premier League U-turn – less than 24 hours after they rejected the Toffees request for a postponement.
Both Liverpool vs Leeds and Wolves vs Watford had been postponed on Thursday due to Covid issues affecting the two away sides.
However, despite an appeal to top-flight chiefs, the Toffees were told they must play their fixture with the Clarets, much to the displeasure of Rafa Benitez, who had claimed he only had nine fit outfield players.
“It’s quite dangerous for us and maybe someone has to take responsibility – someone has to consider that, because of the circumstances of this game, we have to play players who are not ready,” said Benitez.
“They just talk about the numbers – the 13 plus one keeper – but we have nine outfield players available plus three keepers and have to bring in five young players who it seems have enough experience to play.
“But the reality is some of these players include Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been out injured for two months. We have other players with knocks and we will have to push them.
“They are not fit and who will take responsibility if something happens to them because they have to play 90 minutes? We are exposing them.”
But an Everton statement on Christmas Eve confirmed that, having appealed for a second time, the fixture has now been cancelled.
It said: “Everton’s scheduled Boxing Day match at Burnley has been postponed after a Premier League review of the Club’s request due to injuries and positive COVID-19 cases in the Blues’ First-Team squad.”
A Premier League statement read: “Everton were due to travel to Turf Moor to play on Sunday, at 3pm.
“The Board reviewed the Club’s request today to postpone the match following further injuries to their squad.
“They concluded that the club will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend as a result of an insufficient number of players available to play due to COVD-19 cases and injuries.
“The Board this morning was able to make its decision in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their fans. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those supporters’ festive plans.”
Benitez’s squad had endured a Covid outbreak following the game against Chelsea on December 16, while a number of top players including Richarlison and Andros Townsend are injured.
The latest fixture cancellation is set to leave Sean Dyche’s relegation-threatened side with as many as FOUR games in hand on some of their rivals.
Rising Covid-19 cases in England’s top-flight saw all managers and head coaches come together for a virtual meeting with the division to discuss the ongoing situation in addition to the congested fixture list and other key issues.
