Watford added another fixture to their growing backlog of games, as their Boxing Day fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers was postponed.

The match was called off on Thursday, due to “rising Covid-19 cases” in the Watford camp, leaving them with an “insufficient number of players to field a team”.

A statement published by Wolves claims that “a request made by the visitors to the Premier League was accepted due to rising Covid-19 cases.”

It marks the third of the Hornets’ fixtures to have been affected by the outbreak, after matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace were also called off.

A statement released by the Premier League said that there was optimism that the game against West Ham United on December 28 would be played, with players coming out of isolation in time for the match.

Leeds United’s game against Liverpool has also been postponed for the same reason. 

The statement from the league, which was posted to the Watford website, reads: “Following postponement requests from Leeds United and Watford FC as a result of COVID-19, the Premier League Board met this morning and regrettably agreed to call off the two affected clubs’ Boxing Day fixtures. The two games are Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Watford FC and Liverpool FC against Leeds United, both due to be played on Sunday at 12:30pm.

The Board today was able to make its decisions in advance of Boxing Day to give clarity to clubs and their supporters. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to those fans’ festive plans.”

The Premier League said it was aware of the frustration that the postponement would cause supporters who had made plans to attend the match, but that it wanted to provide as much clarity as possible. 

This follows Watford’s first suspended match at Burnley, which was only called off two hours prior to kick off.

The statement continued: “The League is aware that the decision to postpone these two matches will disappoint supporters and understands their frustrations at a special time of year when fans look forward to attending and watching football games. The League aims to provide as much clarity as possible, but unfortunately postponements sometimes have to be made at short notice, as safety is the priority. The League will endeavour to keep supporters updated if games become at risk on a matchday.

The Board concluded that Leeds United will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend due to the number of players with COVID-19, injuries and illness. The club’s training ground has also been closed after consultation with the UK Health Security Agency and the Premier League.

Watford FC continue to have an insufficient number of players to field a team after their game against Crystal Palace FC last Saturday was postponed following a COVID-19 outbreak. Due to players coming out of isolation, it is fully expected Watford will be available for their fixture on Tuesday 28 December, against West Ham United.”

The Premier League statement concluded by reiterating its intention to continue with the fixture schedule, despite some calls for a break in play.

“The Board will assess a number of factors, including the ability of a club to field a team; the status, severity and potential impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at the club; and the ability of the players to safely prepare for and play the match. The Board must also consider the wider risks to the opposition and other people the club representatives may come into contact with,” it said.

“While recognising a number of clubs are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, it is the clubs’ and the League’s collective intention to continue the current fixture schedule where safely possible.”