'How they expect people to come back from Covid and play within a couple of days is beyond me' - Crawley Town boss John Yems blasts EFL's decision as ridiculous

The EFL announced yesterday (Monday) its programme of games in the league and Carabao Cup will continue with fixtures to be played where it is safe to do so, and the set squad criteria can be fulfilled by clubs.

That means if Crawley Town have a squad of 14 players, including a goalkeeper, available, they should fulfil their fixture with Stevenage on Boxing Day (Sunday).

The Reds had 12 players with positive tests last week and their game with Oldham on Saturday was postponed.

With the 10-day isolation rules, it would mean the majority their last day of isolation would be Christmas Day. Yems believes the EFL should have called off all game over the festive period and start again on January 8.

He said: “I think it’s ridiculous. How they expect people to come back from Covid and play within a couple of days is beyond me.

“Doesn’t matter if it’s Crawley Town, Manchester United or whoever. It’s beyond me.

“The rules are if you have 14 players with one being a goalkeeper you can play a game.

“Those 14 players have nothing to do with fitness, it’s whether they are Covid free.