WE GOT IT WRONG - GRIMSBY TOWN FC HOLDS UP ITS HANDS OVER LOCKDOWN BREACHES

Blundell Park - home of Grimsby Town (photo: Grimsby Town FC)

Grimsby Town FC has have accepted the decision - and the punishment - of the EFL relating to the lockdown-related postponement of three matches earlier in the season. It has released the following statement.

The penalty is a fine of £4,800 suspended until 30 June 2021 and not to be implemented if there is no further breach of Covid protocols. 

The Club is also to pay the EFL costs. 

Reference is made to paying reasonable expenses incurred by opposition but there were none.

Prior to the return to training the Club prepared protocols which were approved by the EFL. 

Players and training ground staff (the only personnel allowed to be at the training ground under EFL protocols) were given a half-day training on the protocols and the necessity to comply with them at all times. 

Regrettably there were breaches of these protocols which meant that, when one player who had had contact with others had a positive test, this required all the players to self-isolate.

The Board accepts that ultimately it is responsible for the actions and conduct of players and staff and so accepted the EFL decision.

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The English Football League has today confirmed that  531 players and club staff from six EFL clubs were tested as part of last week’s mandatory testing programme.

A total of 11 positive cases were returned.

In  total, 4,038 players and club staff have been tested since January 4 with 123 individuals testing positive. 

The number of clubs returning zero positive tests was 31.

Players or club staff who test positive are instructed to self-isolate for a period of 10 days in line with Government guidance.