Published 14:15 IST, December 29th 2020
Will Man City be disqualified from Carabao Cup SF vs Man United after Covid outbreak?
Will Man City be disqualified from Carabao Cup? Man City's semi-final clash against Manchester United has been cast into doubt following a coronavirus outbreak.
- SportFit
- 3 min read
Manchester City's hectic fixture schedule plunged into further chaos after their Premier League game against Everton was postponed following a rise of COVID-19 cases in their camp. The Premier League giants had announced on Christmas Day that Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus had tested positive for the virus, with more positive tests returning on Monday. Man City confirmed that their training ground will remain closed for a period of time and their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United has also been cast into doubt following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Will Man City be disqualified from Carabao Cup? Man United vs Man City clash in jeopardy following coronavirus scare
Following the postponement of the game against Everton, doubts have been cast on the scheduling of Man City's games against Chelsea and Manchester United. Both games fall within the 10-day self-isolation period for anyone who tests positive, meaning it is unclear whether the matches will take place. Rumours suggested that Pep Guardiola's side will have to forfeit their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United, after Leyton Orient had to do so in Round 3, handing Tottenham a bye. Orient had 17 positive tests back in September when they were supposed to face Spurs, who have reached the semi-final against Brentford after being guided through to the fourth round.
However, that will not be the case, as EFL Cup laws state that the rule forcing clubs to withdraw from the competition if they cannot fulfil a fixture was only in place until the fourth round. The semi-final is likely to be moved to another date, and Man United will not be handed a bye into the final. Man City forfeiting the fixture would only occur if a new date for the tie is not found, which is highly unlikely to happen. Pep Guardiola's men have clinched the last three Carabao Cup titles and will be seeking a record-equalling fourth consecutive triumph.
Man City covid outbreak: Which Man City players have COVID?
Manchester City confirmed on Christmas Day that Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus had tested positive for the virus, leading to the duo missing the Boxing Day win over Newcastle. However, the Citizens recorded three new cases on the eve of the Everton clash, and the game was subsequently postponed after approval from the Premier League panel. City are wary the virus has infiltrated their squad bubble and have shut down their training facility to curb any further spread. While Man City have refrained from revealing the names of Man City players with coronavirus, reports suggest that goalkeeper Ederson Moraes and summer signing Ferran Torres are amongst those infected.
(Image Courtesy: Man United, Man City Instagram)
Updated 14:15 IST, December 29th 2020