Tottenham have been awarded a bye into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after Leyton Orient failed to fulfil the third-round fixture because the majority of their squad tested positive for Covid-19. Spurs progress and host Chelsea in the next round on Tuesday.
Orient had hoped to reschedule the game given it was worth about £150,000 in television and sponsorship revenue, but the English Football League board determined that, in line with competition rules, the League Two club had to forfeit the match.
Orient’s game at Walsall on Saturday was called off on Thursday and more than a dozen players are thought to be self-isolating as per government guidance. Unlike in the Premier League, testing is not mandatory in the EFL but Orient accepted Spurs’ offer to pay for testing – which costs about £5,000. The tests took place after last Saturday’s draw against Mansfield, who have returned a set of negative results from precautionary tests in the wake of the outbreak at Orient.
An EFL investigation involving Waltham Forest council, the local authority, and Public Health England into how such an outbreak occurred given the league’s stringent medical regulations and protocols is ongoing.
Orient’s manager, Ross Embleton, said: “We’re devastated that this has happened, but this club is used to setbacks. It’s really important that players, staff and supporters stick together through tough times.”
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