Boxing Day fixtures in EFL hit by further coronavirus postponements

Boxing Day fixtures at Cardiff, Northampton and Newport have been postponed as coronavirus outbreaks continue to cause chaos in the English Football League.

Cardiff were scheduled to host Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship on Sunday but they have “several cases of Covid-19” among their playing squad and staff.

Northampton were scheduled to host Walsall in the Sky Bet League Two on Sunday, while Newport were due to take on the table toppers Forest Green.

With the rapid rise in national figures due to the effect of the Omicron variant, it is likely that other fixtures across England’s football pyramid could be postponed, with Premier League clubs holding talks today amid the crisis.

A Northampton statement read: "Northampton Town Football Club are very disappointed to announce that this weekend’s Sky Bet League Two fixture with Barrow has been suspended.

"The club have informed the EFL that, following a number of positive PCR tests within our first team squad, we are unable to field a team capable of fulfilling the fixture on Saturday.

"In light of the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant, the EFL will now review the circumstances surrounding the postponement.

Elsewhere, Forest Green, who sit four points clear of second-placed Northampton, have now seen their last three fixtures called off.

The club statement reads: “We informed the EFL that we would be unable to fulfil the fixture at Rodney Parade due to a number of positive Covid-19 cases in the squad.”