Burnley’s clash with Everton has been postponed due to the number of coronavirus cases in the Toffees’ squad.
Everton had an initial request to postpone the game rejected on Thursday, December 23, despite boss Rafael Benitez claiming he only had nine fit outfield players.
Everton confirmed in a brief statement: “Our Premier League fixture at Burnley on Boxing Day has been postponed due to the number of COVID cases and injuries in our squad.”
The Premier League said it had taken the “regrettable” decision to postpone the game, scheduled to hold on Boxing Day, December 26, 2021 following a meeting of its Board on Friday morning.
The statement read:“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 Covid-19 cases and injuries.”
Benitez said on Thursday that he was “surprised” the game had been expected to go ahead, after two Boxing Day matches Liverpool v Leeds and Wolves vs Watford were postponed due to Covid cases.
Everton’s request to postpone their Boxing Day away fixture at Burnley has been approved following a Premier League Board meeting this morning.
