Everton vs Leicester postponed after Premier League grants visitors' request to rearrange game
Leicester informed the Premier League they would be unable to fulfil Tuesday's fixture at Everton due to a combination of Covid cases, injuries and players being at AFCON; it is the second time the game has been postponed because of Leicester being unable to field a team
Monday 10 January 2022 08:36, UK
Leicester's game at Everton on Tuesday has become the 19th Premier League game to be postponed this season with the Foxes being unable to field a team.
Leicester informed the Premier League they would not have enough available first-team players to fulfil the match due to a combination of Covid cases, injuries and players being away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
It is the second time the fixture has been postponed - it was originally due to take place on December 19, but was moved to January 11 because of Covid cases in Leicester's squad.
- Fixtures: What games are still on?
- What are the rules around cancellations?
- When can postponed PL games be played?
A statement from the Premier League read: "The board was able to make its decision in advance of the fixture to give clarity to the affected clubs and their fans.
"We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to supporters who planned on attending and watching the game, and we are aware that postponements will disappoint fans.
"The league aims to provide as much clarity as possible, but unfortunately postponements sometimes have to be made at short notice, as safety is our priority.
"The board assesses applications to postpone matches on a case-by-case basis, based on existing rules and adapted Covid-19 postponement guidance, implemented in light of the new Omicron variant.
"The board will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the Covid-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match.
"The board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club representatives may come into contact with."
Speaking after Leicester's win over Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday - for which they were unable to name a full squad - manager Brendan Rodgers hinted a request to postpone the Everton game was coming.
"We've been stretched in terms of numbers and, for the integrity of the competition, we'll assess where we're at," he said.
"You've seen for yourself the squad and the team that we have. We need to go in and assess it and see where we're at in terms of players. We'll take it from there."
Rodgers added that the number of first-team players currently unavailable to him meant he was facing a situation unlike anything he has previously experienced.
"I have never had this before," he said. "It is a unique situation.
"Covid, when that kicked in, was tough for us. Players were out and we couldn't rest the ones who were playing, so they were overloaded.
"It's great some of them played but there was a cost for that."
Which Premier League games have been called off?
Brighton vs Tottenham - Sunday, December 12
Brentford vs Man Utd - Tuesday, December 14
Burnley vs Watford - Wednesday, December 15
Leicester vs Tottenham - Thursday, December 16
Man Utd vs Brighton - Saturday, December 18
Southampton vs Brentford - Saturday, December 18
Watford vs Crystal Palace - Saturday, December 18
West Ham vs Norwich - Saturday, December 18
Aston Villa vs Burnley - Saturday, December 18
Everton vs Leicester - Sunday, December 19
Liverpool vs Leeds - Sunday, December 26
Wolves vs Watford - Sunday, December 26
Burnley vs Everton - Sunday, December 26
Leeds vs Aston Villa - Tuesday, December 28
Arsenal vs Wolves - Tuesday, December 28
Everton vs Newcastle - Thursday, December 30
Southampton vs Newcastle - Sunday, January 2
Leicester vs Everton - Wednesday, January 12
Which games have been rearranged so far?
Southampton vs Brentford - Tuesday, January 11
West Ham vs Norwich - Wednesday, January 12
Burnley vs Watford - Tuesday, January 18
Brighton vs Chelsea - Tuesday, January 18
Leicester vs Tottenham - Wednesday, January 19
Brentford vs Man Utd - Wednesday, January 19
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