Notts County have had to drop out of the FA Cup after two more players tested positive for COVID-19.
Last week, four Notts players tested positive, but their National League fixture against Maidenhead still went ahead. Two more positive tests followed this week, and the difficult decision was made by manager Neal Ardley and the board to withdraw from the FA Cup and postpone their next two games.
County were due to travel to Kings Lynn in the fourth qualifying round tomorrow. Ardley said: “We are gutted to not being playing football, but I couldn’t guarantee the safety of my players and safety always has to be the priority.”
Notts have been a leading light when it comes to testing, having tested players five times since the start of the season. But testing is not yet mandatory in the National League. “Testing should be mandatory – at the moment the economy of clubs is taking priority over the safety of players,” said Ardley.
The FA Cup carries on tomorrow minus its 1894 winners. “I would happily put my mortgage on that in 75 per cent of the Cup games taking place at least three or four players will be carrying COVID,” said Ardley.
FA Cup ties always have a special place in the heart of players, managers and supporters alike. “I grew up watching the FA Cup when it was still the premier competition and Cup final day was one of the biggest days in the sporting calendar, so of course the competition has a great attraction,” he said.
The Magpies have been very strict with the guidelines their players have had to follow, both at the training ground and at home. Ardley said: “We can’t do anymore than what we are doing, to be honest, we can only take the protocols up to the white line. If the opposition players aren’t being tested, then they feel like lambs to the slaughter. You can’t socially distance on a football field.
“One of the players who has tested positive lost his nan to the virus and now his grandad is in hospital. It is situations like these that make you realise there are some things more important than football.”
Of the two players that tested positive on Wednesday one was asymptomatic and went ahead and trained with the team. Naturally, he then came into contact with the rest of the squad, putting them at risk. Notts have decided to have a mini fire-break to make sure there isn’t a further outbreak within the squad. They will return to the training ground next Friday to be tested and those who test negative will begin training again on the following Monday.
Ardley was adamant that his players caught coronavirus from opposing players. He said: “That team have had a few positive tests since, including one player who marked the first of our lads to come back positive.”
It looks like Notts will return to action on November 11 at home to National League leaders Stockport County.
By Alex Brinton