Football: Rochdale game against Blackpool postponed
Date published: 26 December 2020
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Rochdale's Boxing Day fixture against Blackpool has been postponed due to a Rochdale player - believed to be Stephen Humphrys - testing positive for Covid-19.
The striker posted on Twitter that he had received notification on Christmas Day that he had tested positive for Covid-19 but that he was feeling well and was at home self isolating.
Bit of a wierd Christmas having woken up to a text saying I’ve tested positive for covid 19. I have no symptoms, feeling fit and healthy and I’m at home self isolating. 2020 can’t end quick enough 🤣 Merry Christmas everyone🎅🏻💙
— Humps (@HumphrysStevie) December 25, 2020
A statement released by Rochdale said that the club had informed the EFL that they would be unable to fulfil their Boxing Day fixture due to following a recent positive Covid-19 test and the requirement for players and staff to self-isolate as per EFL and Government guidance in order to mitigate against the risk of further infection.
Rochdale become the latest League One club to cancel a game due to Covid. Hull, Ipswich, Peterborough and Portsmouth have all had to call off fixtures, and Blackpool's last scheduled game was also postponed due to cases at Sunderland.
Six fixtures in League One have now been suspended on Boxing Day due to Covid outbreaks, with Doncaster Rovers also having to inform the EFL that they could not fulfil their fixture against Accrington due to two of their players testing positive for Covid.
The circumstances surrounding the postponement will now be the subject of an investigation in accordance with EFL Regulations.
A revised date for the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.
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