This archive report was first published on 23 December 2021.
Everton's request to postpone their Premier League match against Burnley on Sunday has been rejected by the league, despite the club's concerns about their readiness due to injuries and COVID-19 cases.
Manager Rafael Benitez told a news conference on Thursday that the club had six injuries and five players with COVID-19, making it 'not fair' to play the match as scheduled.
"We have six injuries and five players with COVID," Benitez said. "I think it is not fair."
Benitez's concerns were echoed by other Premier League managers, who are due to have a call later on Thursday to discuss COVID-19 protocols and their concerns.
Everton's situation is not unique, as Liverpool's match against Leeds United and Watford's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers were postponed earlier on Thursday.
However, Burnley's manager, Sean Dyche, said that his first-team squad was clear of the virus, with only a couple of cases not in the first-team group.
"No COVID at this time of any concern," Dyche said.
Despite the rejection of their request, Benitez remains hopeful that striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be available to play after missing most of the season with injury.
"It's a difficult decision for us but I'm happy to see Dominic training with the team and hopefully he will be fine," Benitez said.
