Southampton v Shrewsbury Town: FA Cup tie off due to Covid outbreak

A series of coronavirus cases at the League One club has affected the third-round fixture

The game was set to be played at Southampton’s St Mary’s ground (Getty Images)

Southampton’s third-round FA Cup tie at home to Shrewsbury Town will not go ahead as planned this Saturday, the Premier League club have revealed.

It is as yet unclear whether the fixture will be postponed or scrapped entirely.

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Southampton said: “The club received notice of the decision from the Football Association this morning, after a number of Shrewsbury players and staff members tested positive for Covid-19. 

READ MORE: EFL to introduce twice-weekly Covid testing

“A meeting of The FA’s Professional Game Board will take place early next week to make a decision as to what will happen with the fixture, and we will update supporters as soon as we have any further information.

“The club would also like to send its best wishes to the players and staff affected at Shrewsbury, and we wish them all a speedy recovery.”

It was announced this week that the English Football League would introduce twice-weekly coronavirus testing for all 72 clubs, with numerous fixtures having been postponed in recent weeks due to positive test results.

As a result of the recent postponements, many feared that this weekend’s FA Cup action could be affected, and so it was announced that each competing team would be tested 72 hours before their respective kick-offs.

Wayne Rooney and Derby’s entire first-team squad is set to miss their third-round tie against Chorley following the coronavirus outbreak that has closed the Rams’ training ground.

Meanwhile, Southampton have had their own coronavirus-related issues in recent days. 

First-choice goalkeeper Alex McCarthy forced to miss his side’s 1-0 Premier League win against champions Liverpool on Monday after testing positive for the disease, and coach Ralph Hasenhuttl was absent for the Saints’ draw with West Ham last week following a positive test result in his household.