All England Championships delayed by inconclusive Covid test results

The event, being held behind closed doors at the Birmingham Arena, was meant to begin on Wednesday

The All England Championships have been delayed (AFP via Getty Images)

The All England Championships are set to go ahead with a delayed start as a number of inconclusive Covid-19 test results from teams need to be re-run, organisers have confirmed.

The event is being held behind closed doors at the Birmingham Arena, with some 80 matches having been scheduled for 17 March.

However, as players self-isolate while their samples are re-tested at a private laboratory, the competition will now begin from 2pm on March 18, which had originally been set for the last-16 fixtures.

A statement on the All England Badminton website read: “The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton England can confirm a significant number of Covid-19 tests conducted for participating teams at the YONEX All England Championships were deemed ‘inconclusive’ and as a result, the samples will be rerun.

“BWF can also confirm a small number of positive tests were recorded and in agreement with Public Health England, these cases will be retested. These cases will continue to self-isolate while they are retested.

“As a result, play will now commence at 2pm tomorrow.

“Badminton England and the BWF continue to implement all testing protocols required by the UK Government and Public Health England to ensure the health and safety of all participants.”

PA