Covid-19-related cases are increasing in the United States, and it seems that there is a growing number of seats left empty at stadiums.
Omicron has seen a significant increase in Covid-19 positive cases in the UK. Wednesday saw 78,610 individuals test positive for the Omicron variant – the highest number of people ever tested since the outbreak.
The effects of positive testing have also had an impact on football. Matches were called off and players missed games. As was evident in Chelsea’s match with Everton, there were many empty seats in grandstands.
The empty seats are not surprising, given the surge in UK tourism and less than one week until Christmas.
It is possible that people could become isolated during the holiday season if there are positive results.
Individuals who are positive for the virus will need to isolate themselves for 10 days.
Chelsea’s game against Everton was attended by a lot of people at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel and his team were without a few key players during the match with the Toffees.
Mateo Kovacic passed a positive test last week. Romelu Kuku, Callum Hudson Odoi and Timo Werner also all tested positive Wednesday. Ben Chilwell was not able to return from surgery on Wednesday.
It could also be the reason why the Stamford Bridge is full for Everton game on Thursday night.
Stamford Bridge has a 40,834 attendance but these numbers are much lower than normal
Chelsea played Everton despite positive Covid cases.
Glenn Hoddle, BT Sport’s pundit said that Covid had returned and hurt football. It’s what it is. It’s good that the game continues.
The Omicron surge has caused football to prepare for over a dozen matches being postponed.
Prior to kickoff at Stamford Bridge the Premier League had already made an announcement that they would be rescheduling games between Southampton and Brentford as well as Watford and Crystal Palace and West Ham and Norwich.
Liverpool also had positive reports, with Curtis Jones unavailable for the match with Newcastle.
Some fear that positive tests now could mean that people will be placed in quarantine for Christmas.
The match between Brentford and Manchester United at home on Tuesday has been postponed for the new year after they closed down their training facility in the lead up to the match.
Burnley’s Wednesday match against Watford was cancelled two hours prior to kick-off because of an outbreak within their Hornets team.
Leicester’s top flight clash with Tottenham, and Saturday matches between Sheffield Wednesday’s and Accrington and Crawley’s encounter with Oldham Athletic have all been called off on Thursday, with officials expecting many more to follow suit.
After both teams had their appeals denied earlier in the week, the Foxes made a request to the Premier League to postpone Thursday’s match against Spurs. In an effort to contain the spreading disease, Foxes closed down their training facility.
The Premier League is holding daily briefings, while the League Managers’ Association is in regular dialogue with the top flight and EFL as managers seek clarity on a rapidly worsening situation.
Thomas Tuchel’s side did not receive their usual level of support at Stamford Bridge. This is for good reasons.