In total, 24 games have been postponed for this weekend’s round of EFL fixtures due to a rise in COVID-19 cases at Clubs, with rearrangements to be confirmed in due course.
Throughout the pandemic, supporting the health and safety of players, staff and supporters has been the EFL’s primary priority and supporting the wellbeing of the country with the rise of the Omicron variant is vital.
To help protect players, the EFL moved to implement a regime of enhanced training ground protocols, and increased testing, alongside encouraging all eligible players and staff to get fully vaccinated and a booster jab to help protect colleagues and minimise the risk of fixtures being postponed. More detail can be accessed here.
The postponed fixtures for Boxing Day include:
POSTPONED FIXTURES
Sky Bet Championship
Barnsley v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Coventry City
Fulham v Birmingham City
Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
Luton Town v Bristol City
Millwall v Swansea City
Peterborough United v Reading
Preston North End v Sheffield United
Sky Bet League One
AFC Wimbledon v Charlton Athletic
Bolton Wanderers v Morecambe
Crewe Alexandra v Wigan Athletic
Gillingham v Ipswich Town
Portsmouth v Oxford United
Sheffield Wednesday v Burton Albion
Wycombe Wanderers v Cambridge United
Sky Bet League Two
Bradford City v Harrogate Town
Bristol Rovers v Sutton United
Carlisle United v Rochdale
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Exeter City v Swindon Town
Newport County v Forest Green Rovers
Northampton Town v Walsall
Port Vale v Salford City
Stevenage v Crawley Town
With the EFL’s second priority to ensure fixtures can continue as scheduled where possible, revised guidance has also been issued to help Clubs determine the circumstances where games can go ahead.
Throughout the pandemic, EFL Clubs have been working hard to implement safety measures at stadia to ensure that fans can continue to attend matches and watch games with confidence.
In total, 12 EFL fixtures remain scheduled to place this weekend, and with the requirement for COVID Certification now required where larger attendances are expected, the League wants to remind all supporters who are travelling to the games to Be Prepared. Supporters are encouraged to familiarise themselves with Club safety measures and to bring a face covering to wear on concourses and indoors. See here and below for information on attending matches and COVID Certification.
SCHEDULED FIXTURES
Sunday 26 December
Sky Bet Championship
Huddersfield Town v Blackpool
Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest
Sky Bet League One
Accrington Stanley v Rotherham United
Cheltenham Town v Plymouth Argyle
Fleetwood Town v Shrewsbury Town
Lincoln City v MK Dons
Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town v Hartlepool United
Oldham Athletic v Scunthorpe United
Tranmere Rovers v Barrow
Monday 27 December
Sky Bet Championship
Derby County v West Bromwich Albion
Queens Park Rangers v Bournemouth
Sky Bet League One
Doncaster Rovers v Sunderland
FOR THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL
If you’re heading to a game over the festive period there are a few simple ways to protect yourself and others:
- Be Prepared and have your COVID pass ready before you set off for the match.
- Take a lateral flow test before leaving home to make sure it’s negative. And don’t forget your face covering - you should wear a mask indoors, on public transport and other busy areas.
- And if you are showing any COVID symptoms, please stay at home.
For the love of live football and fellow fans, thank you for following the guidance and please keep safe.
For more information on how to Be Prepared, please click here
USEFUL LINKS
- How to get an NHS COVID Pass - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/
- How to download a digital NHS COVID Pass - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/get-digital-covid-pass/
- Further information about COVID-19 - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
LIFEBUOY
Through Lifebuoy’s partnership with the EFL as Hygiene Partner they have been helping Clubs set themselves up for the safe return of fans as they know what an integral role football plays in the lives of so many families.
Lifebuoy have a dedicated ‘Tips & Advice’ portal on their website, providing useful information on why handwashing matters, when to wash your hands, and advice on the products that best suit you.
You can visit it here: https://www.lifebuoy.co.uk/tips-and-advice.html