An outbreak of further positive Covid-19 cases at Manchester City has forced their Premier League trip to Everton to be postponed just four hours before kick-off.
On Christmas Day, the club confirmed that players Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were among four individuals to return positive tests, but they confirmed today that their bubble had been "compromised" and further testing had "returned a number of positive cases".
City lodged a request to postpone the match on Monday morning with confirmation coming around 4pm after a hastily-arranged Premier League board meeting.
"With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond," said a statement from City.
"Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, has decided to postpone the fixture."
The Premier League, in agreeing to the postponement, insisted the health of players and staff was paramount.
"The board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow," said a statement.
"The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority."
Second-placed Everton, who could have gone level on points with neighbours Liverpool at the top of the table with a victory, had no say in the decision to postpone the match.
Having to call off the game at such a late stage was also a huge disappointment to 2,000 supporters as Goodison Park is one of only two Premier League grounds – the other being Anfield – allowed to admit fans.
Everton said the postponement was regrettable and will ask the Premier League for a full explanation of the decision-making process.
"Everton Football Club regret the postponement of tonight's match against Manchester City – not only for the 2,000 fans who would have been attending, but for supporters on Merseyside and across the world," said a statement.
"Our players were prepared for the game, as were both the team staff and everyone at Goodison. Matchday is the most important date in our calendar. And this was a big one.
"Whilst Everton will always have public safety uppermost, we will be requesting full disclosure of all the information that Manchester City provided to the Premier League so the club can be clear on why this decision was taken."
The fixture is only the second Premier League game to be called off due to positive tests for coronavirus this season.
The match between Aston Villa and Newcastle, due to be played on 4 December, was postponed due to cases within the Newcastle camp.
A day after Walker and Jesus’ positive tests were announced, City played Newcastle at home on St Stephen's Day, winning 2-0.
The Premier League statement added: "The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them.
"The League wishes those with Covid-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture against Everton in due course."
City's training ground has been closed for the foreseeable future with the rest of the squad having to undergo extensive further testing before any potential return can be considered.
"All positive cases involving players and staff will observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine," continued City’s statement.
"The first team training ground at City Football Academy will close for an indeterminate period, with the squad and associated bubble undergoing testing before any decision is made for training to resume."
City’s next match is due to be at Chelsea on Sunday, which is then followed by their Carabao Cup semi-final against derby rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday 6 January.
Competition rules allow for the semi-final to be rearranged and as the final has been pushed back to April there is more room for manoeuvre if the last-four clash has to be rescheduled.
