English football fixture postponed indefinitely after home club confirms Covid outbreak among players and staff

A non-league football fixture between Whitley Bay and Shildon AFC was postponed on Tuesday evening after the home club confirmed a Covid-19 outbreak among its players and staff. The announcement came just hours before kick-off, leaving both teams waiting for a new date.Whitley Bay confirm Covid outbreak before Shildon matchThe Northern League fixture, scheduled to take place at Whitley Bay's home ground on Tuesday evening, was called off after several members of the home squad and staff contracted Covid-19. The outbreak left the club unable to fulfil the match.Whitley Bay announced the postponement on X, explaining that the decision had been taken because of the number of cases within the club. Its statement read:"MATCH POSTPONED Tonight's game at home to Shildon AFC has been called off due to an outbreak of Covid among the Whitley Bay squad and staff."Our thanks to the Northern League for their co-operation and understanding, and apologies to all at Shildon for the short notice."Shildon's own announcement confirmed the cancellation, with the visiting club posting on social media:"Tonight's game away to @WhitleyBayFC has been called off due to an outbreak of Covid among the Whitley Bay squad and staff."The two statements confirmed that the postponement was caused by the outbreak at Whitley Bay, rather than a problem with the travelling team. The home club also thanked the Northern League for its co-operation and apologised to Shildon for the late notice.When will Whitley Bay vs Shildon be played?The fixture will have to be rearranged, but neither club has announced a new date. Further details are expected once the clubs and the Northern League have agreed when the match can take place.Covid-related postponements were common across English football during the pandemic, when outbreaks regularly affected squads and made it difficult for clubs to meet fixture commitments. Matches being called off for this reason have become considerably less frequent, making Tuesday's announcement an unusual interruption to the non-league schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.