League Two side Harrogate Town have forfeited their Carabao Cup tie against Rochdale after a number of members of their squad tested positive for Covid-19.
The club confirmed earlier this week that they had postponed their next three matches after the confirmation of the positive tests.
The EFL set the club a deadline for the club to find a suitable date for a rearranged fixture, but this has not been possible and so Rochdale will advance to the second round of the competition.
Harrogate Town Forfeit Carabao Cup Tie
EFL Statement
In a statement, the EFL said: “Rochdale AFC will receive a bye into this season’s Round Two of the Carabao Cup after it was determined opponents Harrogate Town would be unable to fulfil the Round One fixture within the required time period.
“This follows a request to reschedule Harrogate’s next three fixtures after number of positive cases of COVID-19 were identified within the Club, and a number of individuals being unable to play or train due to either a positive test, or the requirement to self-isolate, in line with Government and EFL guidance.
“While Harrogate Town did seek to reschedule the Carabao Cup fixture, the available date proposed would not have provided enough time for logistical arrangements to be made, or tickets to be sold for the Round Two tie and in accordance with Carabao Cup rule 5.1, Harrogate Town will therefore forfeit the tie.”
Following yesterday’s announcement our next three fixtures have been postponed due to positive Covid-19 cases, Rochdale have been given a bye into Round Two of the Carabao Cup
All tickets for the fixture due to be played tonight have been refunded
— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) August 10, 2021
Harrogate’s matches against Crawley Town and Leyton Orient have also been postponed, although as they are league matches there is more scope for rearrangement.
No date has been set for those ties as yet.
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