The Championship is struggling with coronavirus cases, much like the Premier League, as shown by the recent string of cancellations.
On Christmas Day, Luton Town informed their supporters of an outbreak in the squad and that they could not go ahead with their Boxing Day fixture against Bristol City.
Here is what they said in an official statement: ‘We are sorry to inform supporters that the Hatters’ Boxing Day fixture against Bristol City has been postponed.
‘The postponement is due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases within the Town playing squad, meaning the fixture cannot be fulfilled.’
The EFL granted the Hatters permission to postpone their game against Bristol to a later date. Luton Town’s game against Swansea City on 29th December was also called off earlier this week for the same reason.
COVID crisis in the Championship
Only two games went ahead on Boxing Day in the Championship, as Huddersfield Town defeated Blackpool and Middlesbrough took three points off of Nottingham Forest. West Brom face off against Derby County, while QPR take on Bournemouth on December 27 as scheduled.
Despite the crisis posed by the coronavirus, 25% of players do not wish to get the vaccine at all. According to the EFL, 59% of players have received both vaccine doses.
The threat posed by the Omicron variant makes it even more important that the players and supporters’ safety is prioritised. The games being postponed will be a big challenge, but it is at the expense of the safety of everyone involved in the game.
