Sunderland cancel a FOURTH straight League One fixture due to coronavirus outbreak

Sunderland have confirmed that their League One fixture against Accrington Stanley has been suspended as their coronavirus outbreak continues to affect their squad. 

The Black Cats had to postpone their previous three league fixtures – against Shrewsbury, Blackpool and a Boxing Day clash with Hull – after an outbreak of the virus appeared in their squad earlier this month.

After five members of staff tested positive before their match against AFC Wimbledon last week, Sunderland were forced to close their training ground and were not able to fulfil their fixtures over the Christmas schedule. 

Sunderland have postponed their fixture with Accrington Stanley due to a Covid-19 outbreak

Sunderland have not played since December 15 when they took on AFC Wimbledon

And Sunderland now have cancelled a fourth match in order to protect the well-being of everyone involved in a Black Cats matchday squad.

Meanwhile, Accrington’s trip to Doncaster on Boxing Day was postponed after two unnamed Rovers players tested positive for coronavirus – Stanley are next set to host Portsmouth on Saturday.

A Sunderland statement read on Sunday: ‘Due to the scale of this outbreak and the volume of positive tests returned by players and staff, the club has taken the decision to postpone the game based solely on the health and wellbeing of all affected.’

Sportsmail revealed last week that a potential bus journey on the way to their AFC Wimbledon fixture on December 15 could have resulted in the coronavirus outbreak. 

On the Sunday before the match, a senior player displayed symptoms of coronavirus and later tested positive, as did an external employee who was on the bus. 

The Black Cats have cancelled their last four games while their training ground is also closed 

Seven other individuals were put into self-isolation before another four positive tests were confirmed on Wednesday.

However, Sunderland still took the decision to play Tuesday night’s home game against AFC Wimbledon despite eight members of staff unavailable for the fixture. The club say they tried and failed to gain clarity from the EFL over what sanctions they would face should they postpone the fixture.

Sunderland claim they hope to play their first match of 2021 – a trip to Northampton Town on January 2.