Two of Oxford United’s youth players have been suspended by the League One club following an allegation that they attended a New Year’s Eve party, as reported by The Athletic.
For the moment, the suspension for the unnamed duo is pending an investigation into the allegations.
Two Oxford United Youth Players Suspended
Club Statement
A club statement said: “Oxford United can confirm reports that two academy players are currently suspended while the club gathers all of the facts regarding an alleged breach of COVID protocols.
“While the investigation is ongoing there will be no further comment from the club.”
Breaching Coronavirus Rules
According to the report, the club were first made away of the incident on Friday, the day before the U’s 5-1 win Burton Albion.
Senior figures at the club are believed to have wanted the duo to be sacked, but the club are yet to make a decision.
The club have had the weekend to decide what to do about the players, one of which plays for the U21s and the other the U18s. If they are sacked, the duo would be the first players in the country to be dismissed for breaching the rules.
Oxford United Coronavirus Impacts
Oxford United have been unfortunate when it comes to coronavirus this season. Although they are yet to receive any positive tests, the U’s have had five games postponed as a result of the opposition suffering an outbreak of the virus.
As a result, Oxford manager Karl Robinson feels passionate about the implications on clubs when enforced to postpone a fixture.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 last week, the Oxford manager said that the EFL had become “a little sloppy” in the way they have dealt with the pandemic and the clubs involved.
The U’s boss has insisted that if any of his players return with a positive test, the club have been strict enough with social distancing not to call games off.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail on Monday, he said: “I can’t foresee everybody testing negative in the world we live in.
“If that’s the case, we will carry on with whoever we’ve got available. Our protocols will protect the players and we’ll see where we are from there.”
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