League One leaders Portsmouth are the latest club to fall victim to an outbreak of coronavirus - with it looking likely their Boxing Day clash with Swindon will be called off.
Pompey, who beat Ipswich 2-0 at Portman Road on December 12, confirmed yesterday that three of their players - including defender Jack Whatmough, had tested positive for Covid-19.
As a result, the entire playing squad are being tested, with the club saying that they will liaise with the EFL and future opponents once the results are known.
However, it appears likely that their Boxing Day match against Swindon Town will be called off.
Pompey's news comes after six of Ipswich Town's playing squad/staff tested positive over the weekend, including boss Paul Lambert. Their next two games are now in doubt.
Town's scheduled game at Peterborough on Saturday was called off due to a positive test in the Posh camp.
And fellow League One big boys Sunderland last week announced that they'd postponed their next three games - including a Boxing Day battle with Hull City - because of a Covid outbreak in their camp.
But, despite the numerous postponements and outbreaks, Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin insists that there has been no talk yet of any season suspension.
He told the Portsmouth News: "I speak to a lot of people in football and once it starts to get a grip within a squad it just seems to spiral out of control.
"I’m sure that’s replicated through businesses and schools currently throughout the world.
"There’s no plans that I’m aware in terms of meetings to discuss a possible suspension.
"But I have to caveat that, that football, society and the world view on this terrible disease changes daily.
"Just because last night that wasn’t the case doesn’t mean that won’t be today.
"I can’t say it won’t loom its head but at this current time I’ve not spoken to anyone else who’s voicing that opinion.
"But as we’ve found out the landscape can change drastically within a few hours.
"Just a couple of days ago people were looking forward to seeing family and friends over Christmas but can’t see them.
"Portsmouth’s gone from tier two to tier four.
"So things change very, very quickly and football’s not exempt from that."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here