Leyton Orient vs Tottenham League Cup match off after Covid-19 outbreak at League Two club
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Updated 22/09/2020 at 15:10 GMT
Leyton Orient confirmed a 'number of first-team players' tested positive for coronavirus on the eve of their League Cup match at home to Tottenham. The third-round tie, scheduled for Tuesday, has now been called off and it is unclear whether it has been cancelled or postponed.
General view outside Leyton Orient Football Club after it has been announced that all football league matches, including the Premier League and Women’s Super League, have been postponed until at least April 3 in response to the threat of coronavirus. This
Image credit: Getty Images
Leyton Orient's third-round League Cup match with Tottenham has been called off following a Covid-19 outbreak at the League Two club.
On Monday, Orient confirmed a “number” of first-team players tested positive for coronavirus, and that has led to Tuesday's match not going ahead - although there are still discussions regarding whether to postpone or hand the tie to Spurs.
An EFL statement said: "Discussions are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in regards to the implications of the decision not to play tonight’s game and a further update will be provided in due course.
"Leyton Orient, the EFL and the relevant authorities are conducting a thorough review of the club’s Covid-19 secure procedures with the view to reopening the stadium and training ground as soon as possible."
Earlier on Tuesday Orient owner Nigel Travers said he wants the match moved, not cancelled.
"As far as we're concerned the game is a postponement not a cancellation," OriTravers told talkSPORT.
"I recognise that is in the guidelines. We have talked to the league about extenuating circumstances. I can assure you we will not be the first club this happens to this year.
"The net result is we expect this game to be replayed, we expect it to take place, given flexibility. We will certainly campaign very strongly to make sure that it does take place."
Leyton Orient statement from Monday:
We received formal confirmation which shows that a number of our first-team squad have tested positive for COVID-19. We have informed the EFL and Tottenham Hotspur and will make a further announcement regarding Tuesday’s match shortly. We have also informed Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic, our three most recent opponents, prior to the public release of this information. Leyton Orient’s priority is the health and well-being of its players and staff. Those who have tested positive will now strictly follow government self-isolation guidelines. The Breyer Group Stadium and training ground facilities will be closed until further notice.
Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic were all notified by Orient, having played the League Two side in the past 10 days.
Orient opened up their league campaign with a 1-0 win at Oldham, with a 3-2 victory over Plymouth in the League Cup last week setting up the Spurs clash.
Most recently the O's hosted and drew 2-2 with Mansfield on Saturday, with the coronavirus tests taking place after that match.
In a statement Plymouth said they would undertake more Covid-19 tests:
"Although there is no competition requirement to do so, Plymouth Argyle FC has made arrangements to undertake a precautionary round of COVID-19 testing ahead of Saturday’s game against Shrewsbury Town, having received confirmation that a number of Leyton Orient players have tested positive for coronavirus.
"At the time of writing, no members of the squad or football staff are experiencing any symptoms. As is consistent with government guidance, any member of staff who tests positive or begins to experience symptoms will be required to self-isolate."
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