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Sale statement: Club could forfeit Worcester game, hit out at 'allegations' in the media
By Online Editors
Sale Sharks have released a strong statement in response to rumours regarding the source of the high number of positive COVID-19 cases at the club. An outbreak of COVID-19 at Sale prompted the postponement of the club's final league match against Worcester Warriors, scheduled for Sunday, to this Wednesday, while Gloucester Rugby’s game with Northampton Saints was cancelled due to Saints players self-isolating after playing Sale.
There have been suggestions that Sale's squad had been out in central Manchester celebrating their recent Premiership Cup win, leading to the outbreak of COVID, but the club have strongly denied these allegations.
Sale have instead outlined that they believe the outbreak could be the result of a possible ‘false-negative’ test.
The club have also confirmed that they are willing to forfeit Wednesday's rescheduled meeting with Worcester if 'the club feel it is not safe to play and/or receive one additional positive test'.
"Following an internal investigation, Sale Sharks refute all recent allegations made in the national press and by other leading figures from Premiership Rugby clubs, regarding Sale Sharks’ players being in central Manchester or on university campuses following the Premiership Rugby Cup final on Monday 21st September," the statement read.
"Sale Sharks is unable at this moment to confirm the cause of the COVID-19 outbreak at the club. We suspect that the cause of the outbreak is related to a ‘false-negative’ test result received in respect of one of our players."
"Even though the club did have an entirely compliant matchday squad available to play on Sunday, Worcester Warriors expressed concern on health grounds about completing the fixture as scheduled.
"Sale Sharks accepted these concerns as legitimate so agreed to postpone the game until the following Wednesday, in order to allow Sale Sharks’ players and staff to undergo a further round of testing.
"If the club feel it is not safe to play and/or receive one additional positive test, Sale Sharks will forfeit their Gallagher Premiership Round 22 match with Worcester Warriors in order to ensure the health and safety of all concerned."
"Sale Sharks would like to thank those who have expressed concern for the welfare of our players and staff during this challenging period."
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Latest Comments
Not my perception John, I think he is trying to develop a settled team but also needs players with some experience to step in if we get some injuries. As an example, someone said today we are only 2 injuries to THP's away from a nightmare situation. We have double the LHP's to THP's.
None of this is going to convince you. I was hoping Ewen would step in before we employed the nasty little toad who stuffed up Aussie scrummaging and lineouts in 2003, the effects of which we have lived with for 20 years.
Go to commentsGreat article! So controversial it will no doubt get suckers to comment and raise clicks and views!!! Its by design that Ben writes such biased and skewed opinioned articles to get the anger and shock affect. Great marketing
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