Spurs given bye in Carabao Cup after Leyton Orient forfeit due to coronavirus cases

It was originally unclear whether the third-round fixture would be postponed, scrapped, or forfeited by Orient

Leyton Orient reported a coronavirus outbreak among first-team players (AFP via Getty Images)

The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed that Leyton Orient have forfeited their Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham.

The third-round match, originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday 22 September, was called off after “a number of first-team players” at Orient tested positive for coronavirus.

It was at first unclear whether the tie would be postponed, scrapped or forfeited by Orient, but the latter outcome has now been confirmed.

Spurs will play Chelsea in the next round after the Blues thrashed Barnsley 6-0 on Wednesday.

A statement released by the EFL on Friday read: “In accordance with Carabao Cup Rules, Tottenham Hotspur have been awarded with a bye to progress to Round Four of the Carabao Cup and will now play Chelsea on Tuesday 29 September.

“The Round Three tie scheduled for Tuesday 22 September between Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur could not take place following the issue by Waltham Forest Borough Council of an order preventing the match being played as planned.

“This followed a number of Leyton Orient players testing positive for Covid-19. 

“The EFL Board has determined that in line with Carabao Cup Rule 5.1, the Club was unable to fulfil its obligations to complete the fixture by virtue of the Council’s order and shall therefore forfeit the tie.”