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COVID-19: Newcastle postpone Premier League clash with Aston Villa due to outbreak at training ground

It is the first time coronavirus has caused a top-flight match in England to be called off this season.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Andy Carroll of Newcastle United reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St. James Park on November 21, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby - Pool/Getty Images)
Image: Newcastle are the first club to have had to postpone a match due to COVID-19 this season
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Newcastle's Premier League match against Aston Villa on Friday has been postponed due to a "significant increase in COVID-19 cases" at the North East club's training centre.

It is the first time coronavirus has caused a top-flight match in England to be called off this season.

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The footballer accuses the Premier League of not doing enough on the issue
Image: Premier League fixtures have not been postponed due to coronavirus since the first national lockdown

A Premier League statement read: "Newcastle lodged a request with the Premier League to rearrange the game following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases at the club which resulted in Public Health England North East (PHE) advising that their training facilities remain closed.

"The Premier League Board agreed, as a consequence, that the club are unable to train and adequately and safely prepare for their match on Friday.

"The decision has been taken in consultation with Newcastle United and Aston Villa - and following extensive consultation with PHE and Premier League medical advisers, with the health of players and staff the priority."

Newcastle United's English head coach Steve Bruce (C) congratulates his players after the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park in south London on November 27, 2020. - Newcastle won the game 2-0. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may
Image: Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce led his team to victory over Crystal Palace in their last game

The 2019-20 campaign went into hibernation back in March and did not return until Project Restart in June, as the first national lockdown began to ease.

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The current season kicked off in September and had until now gone off without a hitch, with fans set to be allowed back into some stadiums from this month - depending on which tier of England's new restrictions they fall into.

Newcastle's squad was due to travel down to Villa Park in Birmingham for Friday's match, for an 8pm kick-off.

Birmingham falls into Tier 3, which means Villa Park will still be unable to welcome supporters for the foreseeable future.

What are the rules under England's new tier system?
What are the rules under England's new tier system?

A Newcastle United statement read: "Several Newcastle United players and staff members are now self-isolating at home after returning positive test results in recent days and the club's training centre site has been temporarily closed in order to contain the spread of the virus.

"With the Magpies' first team currently unable to prepare for the match as a group, Newcastle United lodged a request with the Premier League to postpone the fixture at Villa Park, which has been approved by the Premier League board."

Newcastle were last in action on Friday 27 November, away at Crystal Palace.

Head coach Steve Bruce led his side to a 2-0 victory in south London, taking the Magpies to 13th in the table.