A Jewish Sunday football league game has been postponed on the eve of the start of the new season after a player tested positive for coronavirus.
The Maccabi Great Britain Southern Football League (MGBSFL) have confirmed that the Division One match between London Bears and Brook Farm Rovers has been called off after discussions between the two sides.
The JC understands that a London Bears player tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday – but had previously played with the side in a pre-season friendly last Sunday.
It was decided to call off the game with Brook Farm Rovers ahead of the first weekend of MGBSFL fixtures as a precautionary measure to protect players from both sides from the virus.
Brook Farm Rovers tweeted on Thursday:"Our opening league game this Sunday, away at London Bears has been postponed due to a confirmed case of Coronavirus. The rescheduled date will be confirmed soon."
The MGBSFL have adopted the Football Association’s strict guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of the virus during games this season.
FA rules stipulate that goal posts, nets and the pitch itself should be sanitised. Players are told to avoid elaborate goal celebrations with other team-mates.
Handling of the ball, except by goalkeepers using disinfected gloves, should be kept to a minimum. And spitting is strictly forbidden.
Spectators who attend games should do so in groups of no more than six.
The treatment of injured players with properly sanitised equipment is also being stressed.
There are 10 other fixtures due to be played on Sunday in the three MGBSFL divisions. Three sides – Stoke Salmon, Straw Hat Pirates and a new Faithfold team – will make their debut in the league this weekend.
