Premier League clubs will hold talks about altering the controversial rules on Covid postponements next week, following strong criticism from managers.
Twenty-one top-flight games have been called off due to Covid cases over the last two months, leading to an unbalanced fixture list for the rest of the season and accusations that clubs — notably Arsenal — have abused the system.
The Premier League’s board are now reviewing the regulations, which were brought in last summer owing to Covid and have led to mass postponements as they also make allowances for injuries and absences to tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations.
Pressure has been building to make changes, with Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow condemning the regulations as ‘no longer fit for purpose’ on Wednesday after Tottenham manager Antonio Conte had made similar complaints earlier in the week.
One of the options being considered is to only allow postponements if a club has a certain number of Covid-related absences.
Clubs would not be able to cite injury, suspension or international duty.
If agreed, the changes could come into effect before the February 8 round of games.
The controversy over call-offs peaked last weekend when Arsenal had the north London derby postponed despite only one confirmed Covid case.
In Spain, no La Liga matches have been postponed and only one match in Germany has been called off this season.