Oxford United v Crewe Alexandra postponed after positive Covid-19 test

The match was due to take place at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium

Oxford United's League One match at home to Crewe Alexandra was postponed after a visiting player tested positive for Covid-19.

Crewe player Omar Beckles returned the positive test on Saturday morning, reports BBC Radio Stoke.

After consultations between the clubs, match officials and English Football League, the game was called off just 35 minutes before it was due to kick off.

Crewe have not confirmed the identify of the player to test positive.

No new date has been announced for the fixture, while doubt will also now be cast over Crewe's forthcoming games.

The Alex are next scheduled to play Wigan Athletic at home on Saturday, 10 October, before hosting Blackpool seven days later.

In a statement, the English Football League said: "Each case is judged on its individual merits and, due to the circumstances, the club has advised the EFL it is unable to fulfil the fixtures as players and first-team staff are now required to self-isolate in line with EFL and government guidance."

'The right decision has been made'

The postponement was the second EFL game this week to be called off because of Covid-19 - Grimsby's match with Bradford was postponed on Monday after a positive test last week.

"Apparently Crewe knew about it fairly early this morning but hadn't notified us, which is the main bone of contention in this whole thing," Oxford United captain John Mousinho told BBC Radio Oxford.

"The right decision's been made as I know a few of our players weren't particularly comfortable going out and playing."

Beckles took a private test on Thursday as his wife had recently given birth. He travelled with the team then left the team hotel on Saturday morning after getting a positive result.

He is the second player from Crewe to test positive this week after teammate Ryan Wintle came off unwell during his side's EFL Trophy game with Newcastle United on Tuesday night.

"We didn't know he was having a test, he had it because he's got a young baby and he just wanted to make sure his family's alright and he said it's as big a shock to him as it was to any of us," Crewe manager David Artell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We'll be tested tomorrow or Monday, whenever the test kits come to us, to ascertain the extent of the spread, if there is actually a spread," he added.

"We've followed all the guidelines, all the protocols, the one-way system, the temperature checks, social distancing, washing our hands, so we know we're Covid-secure, but the disease is highly infectious."