THE English Football League (EFL) will continue its schedule as planned, it has confirmed.

A surge in Covid cases and 19 postponements across the three EFL divisions last weekend raised concerns the season could be suspended to get on top of the virus.

But the league this afternoon said its programme will continue ‘where safe to do so’, acknowledging there will be more disruption ahead.

Read also: Oxford United's Boxing Day opponents postpone another game

Member clubs were due to discuss the matter tomorrow morning, but reports suggest the meeting has been cancelled.

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “Throughout the pandemic, our two priorities have been ensuring the welfare of those involved in EFL competitions and ensuring the fixture schedule can continue where it is safe to do so.

“We will continue to work with clubs, authorities and other agencies to monitor the Covid-19 case rate and be prepared to respond accordingly, yet for now the view remains that we can continue to deliver games safely where clubs have sufficient healthy personnel in place, on and off the pitch.

“With club mitigation measures, the mass adoption of booster jabs and Covid certification now required for larger crowds, we are sure many fans will continue to feel confident in attending matches over the Christmas period and we look forward to welcoming them.”

It comes after the Premier League came to the same decision following a meeting earlier today.

On Thursday, the EFL announced a range of measures to deal with the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant.

This included an order for all 72 teams to implement enhanced red protocols at their training grounds, which limit the use of indoor facilities and group travel, among other things.

Clubs are also now expected to test players daily, with positive cases required to take a PCR test and isolate.

The EFL also confirmed that teams will be expected to fulfil fixtures if they have 14 first-team players available, including a goalkeeper.

Four Oxford United players have tested positive since Thursday, while Boxing Day opponents Portsmouth have postponed two matches this week after an outbreak of the virus.

Today's news does not necessarily mean that fixture will go ahead, with several of Sunday’s matches already called off.