Tottenham’s Carabao Cup third-round clash against Leyton Orient has been called off after the League Two club suffered a coronavirus outbreak, with talks ongoing over what happens next.
Orient confirmed on Monday that ‘a number’ of first-team players had tested positive for Covid-19, with Tottenham having spent £5,000 to pay for the lower league side to be checked over.
Although Premier League players are tested, on average, twice a week, there is no obligation for League Two sides to be tested that regularly, with just one pre-season swab required.
Orient boss Ross Embleton thought the squad were struggling with a ‘bug’ before their last game against Mansfield but The Sun claims as many as 18 players had actually contracted coronavirus.
The club’s training ground and stadium were both shut down, with Orient speaking to Public Health England to determine whether they could fulfil the fixture.
It has now been decided that the game must be cancelled, though it has yet to be determined if the match can be played again at a later date or whether Orient need to forfeit the tie, which would see Spurs handed a bye.
‘Leyton Orient, the EFL and the relevant authorities are conducting a thorough review of the club’s Covid-19 secure procedures with the view to reopening the stadium and training ground as soon as possible.’
Spurs may be a little relieved by the cancellation as it eases their incredibly congested fixture list, having played Southampton just two days ago and travelling to Macedonia on Thursday to face KF Shkendija in the Europa League.
Orient had suggested playing a team of academy youngsters on Tuesday night, who had not been in contact with the first team, but Spurs are believed to have been uncomfortable with that idea given they were travelling to mainland Europe just a couple of days later.
After discovering their outbreak, Orient informed their three most recent opponents, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle and Oldham Athletic, who will likely need to be tested now too.
