This archive report was first published on 23 December 2021.
As the UK battles record numbers of positive Covid cases due to the Omicron variant, the Premier League has postponed a total of 12 matches in the past two weeks.
On December 23, 2021, the Premier League Board met and agreed to call off the Boxing Day fixtures of Leeds United and Watford, following postponement requests from the two clubs due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
Leeds reported five positive cases among players and staff, combined with a lengthy injury list, meant they would be unable to field a team with the required 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper from their registered 25-man squad.
Watford's previous two matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace had also been called off, but the league expected their fixture with West Ham on December 28 to go ahead due to players coming out of isolation.
Everton's request for their match against Burnley to be postponed was rejected, despite being without 11 players due to injury or Covid infection. Everton manager Rafael Benitez expressed his surprise at the rejection, stating, 'We have six injuries and five players with Covid. I think it is not fair.'
Across the three divisions below the Premier League, 18 matches in the English Football League (EFL) scheduled for Boxing Day had already been postponed.
