League One Boxing Day devastated as more coronavirus cancellations see clubs join Portsmouth, Sunderland, Ipswich and Hull on sidelines

Half of League One’s Boxing Day programme has been suspended through coronavirus.
Five of League One's 12 scheduled Boxing Day fixtures have been postponed because of coronavirusFive of League One's 12 scheduled Boxing Day fixtures have been postponed because of coronavirus
Five of League One's 12 scheduled Boxing Day fixtures have been postponed because of coronavirus

Just six of the scheduled 12 fixtures will this afternoon take place on a traditionally packed day on the footballing calendar.

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Of the Football League, it comfortably represents the division most devastated by coronavirus cases among its clubs.

Doncaster’s match with Accrington is the latest to succumb, after it was this morning announced two Rovers players had tested positive for Covid-19.

It continues to ravage the festive fixture list, with many clubs also out of action on December 29.

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Pompey and Hull are among League One's five Boxing Day fixtures to be postponed because of coronavirus. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA WirePompey and Hull are among League One's five Boxing Day fixtures to be postponed because of coronavirus. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire
Pompey and Hull are among League One's five Boxing Day fixtures to be postponed because of coronavirus. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire
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However, all are still currently pencilled in for the January 2 round of matches, with the Blues heading to Accrington.

Incidentally, Pompey have already faced Hull, Ipswich and Peterborough in December – four of the clubs to report coronavirus outbreaks in their respective camps.

The other two in League One are Sunderland, Rochdale and now Doncaster, who are scheduled to fulfil their December 29 games.

While Bristol Rovers today return to action at MK Dons, having previously had two matches called off.

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Others in the Football League on Boxing Day have also been affected by coronavirus.

In the Championship, Rotherham’s trip to Middlesbrough and Millwall’s clash with Bournemouth have been postponed.

In the case of Jed Wallace’s Millwall, they will also be out of action on December 29, when they were to face Watford.

Meanwhile, League Two presently has a clean bill of health, although Leyton Orient head coach Ross Embleton is current self-isolating.

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Although earlier this month Stevenage had matches against Tranmere and Exeter cancelled after players tested positive for coronavirus.

Premier League clubs have reported cases, with Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus the latest declared, but all festive games are still scheduled to go ahead.

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