Premier League considering changing rules around match postponements

The Premier League is looking into changing its guidance around match postponements after criticism over the number of games being called off.

This season, 22 fixtures have been postponed because of Covid-19 cases, injuries and international call-ups.

The league has been criticised recently, amid claims that clubs were manipulating the rules around what warranted postponements.

New guidelines could be in place for 8 February.

It is understood early discussions have taken place in the last few days following controversy over the league's decision to grant Arsenal's request to postpone Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham.

There will not be enough time to implement changes for this weekend but when the Premier League resumes after its two-week winter break on 8 February, an agreement over amended guidance is likely to have been reached.

Premier League clubs were told in December that they should fulfil matches if they had a goalkeeper and 13 outfield players available, in reaction to a number of matches being called off because of Covid-19 outbreaks.

However, clubs have been allowed to include players injured and on international duty on their list of absentees when applying for a postponement.

Officials believe now might be the time to amend the Premier League's rules, with Covid restrictions in England set to be eased, and the number of top-flight players testing positive falling for the third successive week.

After Wednesday's games, there will still be 20 outstanding Premier League matches to rearrange, all but four of which were originally called off for Covid-related reasons.

It has already been decided the forthcoming winter break will not be used to reschedule any of these games, which means they will have to be